Thomas Wuerthinger on GraalVM and Optimizing Java With Ahead-of-Time Compilation

01 Oct 2024 (3 months ago)

GraalVM's Language Support and Performance Advantages

GraalVM can target multiple languages, including Java, JavaScript, Python, Ruby, and R. (2m11s)
GraalVM offers performance advantages over traditional approaches for some languages, particularly those with less industry investment in JIT compilation technology, such as Ruby and R. (4m4s)

GraalVM's ahead-of-time (AOT) compilation mode analyzes a JVM-based application to identify reachable code and generates a standalone binary containing machine code, eliminating the need for a JVM at runtime. (5m39s)
Ahead-of-time (AOT) compilation in GraalVM aims to create a small binary and efficient machine code by limiting arbitrary reflection to constrain reachable elements. (6m59s)
The native binary generated through AOT compilation includes a garbage collector and runtime system but excludes a just-in-time (JIT) compiler and interpreter. (7m18s)
GraalVM, currently based on OpenJDK 8, offers a single default garbage collector during native image creation, but work is underway to incorporate low-latency garbage collectors and support for JDK 11. (7m43s)
Ahead-of-time (AOT) compilation with GraalVM allows for platform independence by enabling the distribution of platform-independent Java files that can be compiled into platform-dependent native images at a later stage, such as during deployment. (15m34s)

There are three main optimization goals for ahead-of-time compilation: minimize startup time, reduce memory footprint, and minimize packaging size. (19m54s)
GraalVM, in AOT compilation mode, aims to maximize startup time, memory footprint, and packaging size, while in JIT mode, it prioritizes peak throughput, aiming to surpass the performance of the C2 compiler. (19m35s)

GraalVM plans to add support for Java 11 and improve its compatibility with Windows. (20m54s)
GraalVM aims to release a new version every three months, with the last release of the year offering long-term support. (23m16s)

Just-in-time (JIT) compilation has a memory disadvantage because it requires the entire program and profiling data to be stored in memory. (13m31s)