> people basically judge java based on what you learn in AP CS which is basically (a dumbed down version of) java 6 (released 2006).
I don't think people realize Java8 was until very recently the dominant java version in production software, and currently close to 90% of all java projects still run on java11 and earlier.
Edit: after checking New Relic's 2024 report on the java ecosystem, it sounds like java11 and earlier is now at slightly over 60%, with java17 being used in around 35% of the projects.
For software written in that era currently under maintenance mode, I don't expect people to upgrade their java language version though upgrading their JVM is a good idea.
I don't think people realize Java8 was until very recently the dominant java version in production software, and currently close to 90% of all java projects still run on java11 and earlier.
Edit: after checking New Relic's 2024 report on the java ecosystem, it sounds like java11 and earlier is now at slightly over 60%, with java17 being used in around 35% of the projects.