Resolve "Upgrading to Java 17"

Closes #665 (closed)

but also

Closes #559 (closed)

Closes #624 (closed)

Closes #630 (closed)

Closes #666 (closed)

Closes #667 (closed)

Closes #671 (closed)

Closes #673 (closed)

Closes #674 (closed)

Closes #675 (closed)

Closes #690 (closed)