As we all know that Mojang is releasing Minecraft 1.17 this year (2021). As most of the updates are in one go but this time Mojang has planned to release the 1.17 update is in two parts the first part will include the mobs and the blocks while the second part will include the technical things related to the world generation.
There will be a ton of new features and changes in 1.17 update like:
Technical changes
Upgraded to Java 16
Added mineable/axe, mineable/hoe, mineable/pickaxe and mineable/shovel block tags. Blocks with these tags can be destroyed more quickly with the matching tool.
Added needs_stone_tool, needs_iron_tool and needs_diamond_tool block tags. If a block requires the correct tool to drop, these tags determine which tier of that tool is required.
Changed the syntax of the /item command
Java 16
Minecraft now uses a more recent version of Java. If you are using a default setup the Launcher will download and install the correct version. If you are using a custom Java setup or a third-party launcher, you will need to ensure that your Java installation is version 16 or above
Minecraft Item command
New syntax:
/item replace <target> with <item stack> [<count>] - same as old replaceitem
/item replace <target> from <source> [<modifier>] - copies item for source to target(s), optionally applying modifier
/item modify <target> <modifier> - modifies item (without copying)
For example, /item replace block ~ ~ ~ container.0 from entity @s enderchest.0 will copy first item from player's enderchest to first slot of container player is currently standing on
Minecraft Bug fixes
Ender Dragon is respawned if all Exit End Portal blocks are removed / legacy scanning is done for worlds with new dragon fight
Leads don't work with Squids
Crash when using a non-mushroom block in a huge mushroom feature's cap
"X Candle Cake" should be "Cake with X Candle"
Lightning rod stays activated when struck by lighting at the same time as being moved by a piston
Anvil character limit is too low for items with long names
Sheep are rendered like white sheared sheep through tinted glass blocks
The command syntax order of /item is inconsistent
Pufferfish don't defend themselves from axolotls
Withers attack axolotls that are playing dead
Amethyst shard is not grouped with other gemstones in the Creative inventory
Shulkers generating outside the world border bug out when trying to spawn
Hanging roots float in your hand
Shulkers are not spawned in the correct place
Flying slightly above a big dripleaf can cause it to tilt without touching it
Despite being a type of berry plant, bees don't pollinate cave vines
Items in water streams don't fall from big dripleaves, but constantly try
Hanging roots break sound event uses break3 twice, excluding break4
Spore blossom is positioned rather strangely among flowers in Creative
Bonemealing big dripleaf in flowing water doesn't update the water
Lightning Bolt detecting lightning rod incorrectly
Lightning hitting an entity on copper slabs on top another copper block fully cleans the bottom block first
Opening a shulker box while an entity is standing on top of it pushes it too high for a short amount of time
Experience orbs produce particles whilst moving through powder snow
Snow particles do not render at all when the block light level is 7 or more
Powder snow doesn't produce particles when broken by burning mobs
Pick Block used on a level 15 light block returns a different item from the default light block
Leads don't work with Glow Squids
Spyglass in Search tab of creative inventory is mixed with block types instead of tools where it belongs
Powder snow doesn't produce a breaking sound or subtitle, when destroyed through extinguishing a burning player, mob, or flame arrow
Budding Amethyst and Copper variants are far away in the creative inventory
Floating water caves in caves under the ocean
Shulkers appear in the wrong place when riding an entity
Azalea & Flowering Azalea aren't part of the block or item tags for #saplings
Moss block appears in the #lush_ground_replaceable.json twice
Powder snow can create ghost blocks in creative mode
minecraft.used:minecraft.COMPOSTABLE_ITEM doesn't increase when placing an item into a composter
Ores and raw materials in smea\lting preview are off center
Copper Ingots are no longer grouped in the crafting table
Infested blocks take twice as long instead of half the time
Infested blocks have no effective tool
Server-side performance drop with dragon's breath area effect clouds
Preview
Data pack for download here