The first step towards pattern matching will be previewed in JDK 12[1], as a Kotlin-like switch statement, to form the basis of pattern matching[2] together with changes already in JDK 11[3]. I think it will be more like 15 months than 15 years.

I don’t expect higher kinded types any time soon, though.

[1]: http://openjdk.java.net/jeps/325 [2]: http://openjdk.java.net/jeps/305 [3]: http://openjdk.java.net/jeps/309