Scripting API
javax.script embeds scripting languages. The curriculum reference cites JSR 223 for this API.
JDK 6 · JSR 270
Java 6
Java SE 6 is the reference platform defined by JSR 270. The JCP recorded its final release on 11 December 2006. This release has almost no new language syntax. The changes developers met were libraries, tooling, and runtime work.
APIs / Libraries
JDBC 4.0
JDBC 4.0 is the database API update that shipped with this platform. The curriculum reference lists it as a library change, not a language change.
JVM / Runtime
Runtime and performance work
Java 6 is remembered for JVM and library performance work. This page does not invent a language feature to fill that gap.
Related reading: JVM and memory
Tools / Platform
Pluggable annotation processing
Annotation processors can run as part of compilation. The curriculum reference lists this beside the scripting API and JDBC 4.0.
Related reading
Historical notes
The version chapter still starts at Java 5. That example stays at versions1Java5Features.java. Java 6 has no sample of its own. The scripting API needs an engine this JDK no longer includes, JDBC needs a driver, and annotation processing is not one self-contained program.
Sources. Final release date and JSR 270: JCP. Release month: Oracle Java SE specifications. Feature notes: the Java versions reference in this curriculum. Oracle Java SE specifications (leaves JavaMastery)