Java 8 introduced several significant features that enhanced the programming language and improved developer productivity. Here are some of the key features:

1. Lambda Expressions: This feature allows developers to write more concise and functional-style code. Lambda expressions enable the use of functional interfaces, which are interfaces with a single abstract method, providing a compact syntax for defining anonymous functions. They facilitate functional programming concepts like map, reduce, and filter ⁴.

2. Stream API: The Stream API is a powerful addition that enables functional-style operations on collections of data. It provides a higher-level abstraction for processing and manipulating data, allowing for more expressive and declarative code. Streams support operations such as filtering, mapping, sorting, and reducing, making complex data manipulations easier ⁴.

3. Default Methods: Java 8 introduced default methods in interfaces, allowing them to have concrete method implementations. This feature supports backward compatibility when adding new methods to existing interfaces, enabling interfaces to evolve without breaking existing implementations ⁴.

These features collectively make Java 8 a revolutionary release for software development.