Java introduced the concept of checked exceptions. The idea of forcing developers to manage exceptions was revolutionary compared to the earlier approaches. Nowadays, Java remains the only widespread language to offer checked exceptions. For example, every exception in Kotlin is unchecked. Even in Java, new features are at odds with checked exceptions: the signature of Java’s built-in functional interfaces doesn’t use exceptions.

Because of the recent worldly travel restrictions, I recently found myself writing more code than usual. After having reviewed it, I noticed I was not very satisfied with it. I believe that comes from the fact that Java is an 'old' language, but it has evolved a lot, especially in its latest versions. While working with a language for a long time, one is bound to get habits, whether good or bad. When the language changes, it takes a conscious effort to change those habits.

With Java 8 streams, it seems Functional Programming has won. Long live statelessness and recursion! Reality is a bit more nuanced: as always in software programming, it depends. I believe that the more tools in your toolbelt, the better it is. When all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nail. In Functional Programming, every function needs to be pure: output only depends on input, and there are no side-effects.