The reference field `fd` is never updated even though the fields of the `FieldDescriptor` actually referenced is updated by native code (e.g. `open0()`). This allows the `fd` field to be declared `final` which might unlock some performance capabilities. Also, it makes the intent more clear and improves visibility across threads (such as GC threads).
There is also a switch that could be modernised.
There is also a switch that could be modernised.