Apache Software Foundation Highlights Community Collaboration and Project Innovations
The Apache Software Foundation (ASF) has announced significant updates in its May 2026 newsletter, showcasing the rise of Apache Iceberg, the modernization of Apache Geode, and the complete rebuild of Apache STeVe v3. These developments underscore the foundation’s commitment to open collaboration and innovation within its ecosystem while also gearing up for the upcoming Community Over Code Glasgow 2026 event.
Community Engagement and Events
Apache Iceberg has emerged as a critical component in contemporary data architectures, enhancing performance and scalability. Dipankar Mazumdar, Director of Developer Relations at Cloudera, shared insights on how Iceberg has transformed data lakes through community-driven efforts and educational initiatives. This conversation highlights the importance of collaboration in fostering technology adoption.
In addition to technological advancements, the ASF is preparing for its Community Over Code Glasgow 2026 event. Registration is currently open, featuring a comprehensive schedule with 168 sessions across 18 tracks that delve into topics such as artificial intelligence (AI), cloud infrastructure, data engineering, open source governance, and security. The event aims to unite contributors, maintainers, and leaders from across the Apache ecosystem for cross-project collaboration and community building.
Attendees can benefit from discounted room rates at the Hilton Glasgow and early-bird registration pricing until July 28, 2026. Committers from ASF projects can register at a reduced rate throughout the registration period using their valid apache.org email addresses. Furthermore, the ASF’s Travel Assistance Committee (TAC) is accepting applications to help cover travel expenses for contributors attending both Glasgow and Beijing events.
- View the Community Over Code Glasgow Schedule
- Register for Community Over Code Glasgow 2026
- Register for Community Over Code Beijing 2026
- Apply for TAC Assistance
Project Innovations and Milestones
The ASF continues to modernize its projects with notable updates. Apache Geode has released version 2.0, which includes major enhancements across its Java ecosystem, such as upgrades to Java 17, Jakarta EE 10, Spring 6, and other core dependencies. These improvements are essential for maintaining relevance in a rapidly changing technological landscape.
In April alone, 29 projects elected a total of 43 new committers while an additional 12 projects welcomed 14 new Project Management Committee (PMC) members. The ASF is also celebrating significant anniversaries for several Top-Level Projects (TLPs), marking milestones that reflect their contributions to open-source software:
- 1-5 Years: Apache Gravitino, Apache StormCrawler, Apache SeaTunnel, Apache AGE
- 5-10 Years: Apache Hudi, Apache Iceberg, Apache Dubbo, Apache SystemDS, Apache TinkerPop, Apache Zeppelin
- 10-15 Years: Apache Whimsy, Apache Phoenix, Apache ManifoldCF, Apache Libcloud
- 15-20 Years: Apache OpenJPA, Apache POI, Apache TomEE, Apache Turbine
- 20-25 Years: Apache Tomcat, Apache Geronimo
Leadership Changes at ASF
The ASF has appointed Daniel Ruggeri as its new Executive Vice President. A long-time contributor to the foundation’s growth and governance efforts, Ruggeri’s appointment signifies a continuity of leadership focused on fostering community engagement and project development within the organization.
Ecosystem Updates: Security Considerations Ahead
A critical update affecting many organizations involves changes from major public Certificate Authorities regarding client authentication in public TLS certificates. Starting May 2026, these authorities will cease including clientAuth Extended Key Usage (EKU) in public TLS certificates. This change could impact mutual TLS (mTLS) deployments during routine certificate renewals. Organizations relying on public certificates for client authentication are urged to review their systems and plan migration paths accordingly.
The Log4j community continues to address challenges highlighted by the Log4Shell vulnerability incident by re-evaluating documentation practices and security protocols. This experience emphasizes broader issues facing open-source software regarding sustainable support for maintainers amidst increasing regulatory demands.
What This Means
The ongoing developments within the ASF illustrate a robust commitment to community-driven innovation in open-source technology. With significant project updates like those seen in Iceberg and Geode alongside leadership changes and proactive measures regarding security practices in TLS certificates, organizations leveraging these technologies must stay informed about these changes. Participation in events like Community Over Code provides opportunities not only for learning but also for networking within this vibrant ecosystem.
For more information, read the original report here.
