From JVM to Native - The Path to Efficient Java Containers

Explore advanced techniques for optimizing Java applications in cloud environments through this comprehensive conference talk from GeeCON 2025. Learn to build size-compact, cloud-native Java applications specifically designed for resource-constrained deployment scenarios where billing costs depend on resource usage. Discover how to package Spring Boot web servers into slim, distroless, and scratch containers that provide minimal operating system overhead while maintaining functionality. Examine the trade-offs between different containerization approaches and understand how smaller containers reduce resource consumption, accelerate transfer speeds, and improve deployment times—crucial factors for effective autoscaling. Master GraalVM Native Image configuration options including static linking and unused code elimination techniques. Experiment with Jlink to create custom Java runtimes tailored to your application needs. Compare standard JVM-based Paketo Buildpacks with ahead-of-time compilation alternatives and evaluate their respective advantages. Gain practical knowledge on automating the complete workflow of building, optimizing, and containerizing Java applications using CI/CD pipelines, enabling efficient cloud-native development practices that minimize costs while maximizing performance.