switch and instanceof have been the gates of data introspection in Java since 1.0. In modern times, the same constructs have been rehabilitated to enable full-blown pattern matching and offer a vision of data-oriented programming to Java developers. In this talk we are going to have a look into what switch and instanceof are for Java developers today and offer a holistic view of all the exciting directions that can be a possible future for Java’s pattern matching abilities.

Recorded at Devoxx Belgium 2024.