Richard Fichtner on JAVAPRO International

JCON EUROPE 2026: Why the Java Community Still Meets in Person

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 07:00:00 +0000

Every year, when we start planning JCON EUROPE, one question always guides us:

How do we create a conference that developers genuinely enjoy attending?

Not just another event with slides and sponsor booths. Not a place where people passively consume information and leave. We wanted to create an environment where developers actively connect, discuss, challenge ideas, and solve real-world problems together.

Looking back at JCON EUROPE 2026, I believe this spirit was visible everywhere.

Build Vector Database Apps with Pure Java

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 07:00:01 +0000

The Java ecosystem is entering a new phase. Generative AI is no longer experimental; it is becoming a foundational capability in enterprise systems. Yet while frameworks for inference and orchestration have matured, one critical bottleneck continues to slow down adoption: data access for semantic retrieval.

At the heart of modern GenAI systems lies Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG). This paradigm depends on fast access to embeddings - high-dimensional vectors that represent meaning. For Java developers, integrating this capability has historically meant introducing an external vector database into the architecture. What appears to be a straightforward design decision quickly becomes a source of complexity, inefficiency, and architectural friction.

Code. Collaboration. Community.

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 07:00:02 +0000

JCON USA @ IBM TechXchange 2025 – where the spirit of Java found a new home in Orlando.

When the JCON team announced they were bringing their renowned Java conference series across the Atlantic, expectations were high. Known for its lively spirit and deep technical content, JCON Europe has become a must-attend event for Java developers. Its first U.S. edition – JCON USA @ IBM TechXchange 2025 – not only met those expectations but exceeded them, uniting Java professionals from around the world under one roof in Orlando.

Maintaining the IntelliJ “Save Actions” Plugin: A Community Effort to Keep Development Tools Up to Date

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 12:00:01 +0000

For many developers working with IntelliJ IDEA, the “Save Actions” plugin has long been a trusted companion for maintaining consistent and clean codebases. By automatically performing configurable actions on file save—such as optimizing imports, reformatting code, rearranging members, or applying small quick fixes—the plugin helps ensure that projects stay uniform across entire teams.

After the original development of “Save Actions” came to a halt several years ago, the plugin risked falling out of compatibility with newer IntelliJ versions. To prevent this, XDEV Software stepped in as the dedicated maintainer and continues to provide updates and maintenance releases through the JetBrains Marketplace. The goal has remained simple: to keep the plugin functional, compatible, and stable for the growing developer community that relies on it.

"Quarkus in the Real World": Richard Fichtner shares insights in the Quarkus Podcast

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 15:12:18 +0000

In Episode #203 of the official Quarkus Insights Podcast, XDEV CEO and Java Champion Richard Fichtner joined hosts Holly Cummins and Max Rydahl Andersen—both core Quarkus developers—for an insightful conversation about using Quarkus in a large-scale real-world education project.

Richard shares details about a groundbreaking initiative: In collaboration with the Educational Data Science department at University of Regensburg, XDEV developed a scalable application to support reading skills in Bavarian elementary schools—commissioned by the Bavarian Ministry of Education.

Java Community in the Spotlight: XDEV's Richard Fichtner Guests on the Payara Podcast

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 18:07:19 +0000

Richard Fichtner, CEO of XDEV and a seasoned Java Champion with over 20 years of experience, recently appeared on the Payara Podcast. In the latest episode of the “Java User Group Spotlight” series, he spoke with host Dominika Tasarz about the origins and growth of the JUG Oberpfalz, his role as one of the co-organizers of the JCON Conference, and the challenges and rewards of building Java communities—especially in rural regions.

The conversation highlighted the passion and commitment behind community building: from launching a local Java User Group in Bavaria to organizing international conferences and creating innovative formats like the “Java Haters Meetup”, where even critical voices are welcome.