Rest in peace Oracle JRE & JavaFX

September the 25th was not only Release Day of Oracle JDK11, it was also funeral day for Oracle’s JRE and JavaFX. Almost silently, Oracle approached one more step further to remove Java from our desktops. ;-)

So, just before the end of 2018, I think it’s not too late to say:

„Goodbye Oracle’s JRE and JavaFX bundles. It was a pleasure working with you folks.“  

What happened?

Oracle JDK Migration Guide provides some Significant Changes in JDK 11 Release:

Oracle no longer offers JRE and Server JRE downloads; consequently, Auto-Update is not available anymore.
Java Web Start, Java Plugin, and Java Control Panel are not available in JDK. See Removal of the Deployment Stack.
JavaFX is no longer included in the JDK. It is now available as a separate download from https://openjfx.io/.
In this release, the JRE or Server JRE is no longer offered. Only the JDK is offered. Users can use jlink to create smaller custom runtimes.

But wait, this means… my java apps, my server runtimes, my …. Yes, in deed!

Based on Oracle’s Java Client Roadmap Update, an Oracle White Paper from March 2018, Java developers have had all the time in the world. But as lazy as we developers are, it is about time to rethink our options now until the end of 2018. Ok, it’s almost about time, you’re right ;-) .  (Please don’t get me wrong: Developers Are Lazy, And That’s (Usually) A Good Thing)

Oracle’s Java Client Roadmap Update describes:

The public availability of Java SE 8 updates from Oracle has been extended to January 2019. Moreover, Oracle will continue to provide consumers with updates for personal (non-corporate) use of Java SE 8 through at least the end of 2020.
Oracle will extend support for Web Start in Java SE 8 from March, 2019, through at least March 2025.
Developers who deploy desktop applications to individual consumers (eg, games, personal banking, or other B2C applications) will need to transition to other deployment technologies such as the jlink and/or third party packaging and deployment solutions before the end of 2020.
Application developers who target applications for internal data processing, business, commercial, or production purposes, will either need to seek commercial license with Oracle, or transition to other deployment technologies by January 2019.

What to do now, as a Java developer?

Last week, Julian pointed out in his german blogpost Oracle JDK im Unternehmenseinsatz?, that we have to be prepared for migration until the end of 2018. In 2019 Oracle prohibits corporate- and production–usage of new Oracle JDKs without proper licensing, see also Java.com Licensing and Distribution FAQs for more details.

Well, consumer desktop application developers have quite a few years left. But for all the others, let’s consult someone (e.g. doubleSlash or the Java Champions) to check if Java Is Still Free?

I’ll make it short: In general, it is. But as you can guess, it depends ;-)

I guess upcoming Christmas break is a perfect time for us devs to crunch some ideas regarding our development & deployment processes. For 2019 let’s start with things like

• automation of release & JDK updates in development and production.
• automation pipeline for custom runtime creation with jlink.
• And some more automations.
• And last but not least: communications to your customers regarding JDK migration guides in our applications.

What to do now, as a Java desktop user?

In case of personal desktop usage, no changes are needed. At least not until the end of 2020. We will see what is happening on http://java.com until then.

But in case you are acting on behalf of an ENTERPRISE, it is time to check you local JRE/JDK installations!

If you are still using Oracle JRE/JDK8 and you like to recieve further updates, then you’ll need to update to a newer version at the beginning of 2019. Otherwise your company will have to become  an ORACLE CUSTOMER, licensed to use Java SE, to continue to have access to Oracle Java SE 8 updates beyond 2018.

In case you are not sure at all, then this is a good opportunity to consult your company IT services. I assume your IT crowd has a masterplan already and they are pleased to provide you with frequent Oracle JDK releases or alternatives like e.g. OpenJDK. Just like ours does for us already.

At the end…

• Thank you Oracle. After Sunset, you provided frequent, secure and long-term JRE/JDK builds, bundles and patches free for use to everyone. And you still do until 2019.
• Thank you, AdoptOpenJDK and others, who’ll carry on to provide long-term JDK builds, bundles and patches to the rest of the world after 2018.

„Rest in peace Oracle JRE & JavaFX – long live OpenJDK & OpenJFX!“

And for all who are still reading here’s an extra tip: JDK11 was released two months ago, not long until you’ll have to adapt to JDK12!

Besides, I remember new years eve seems to be a good time period for patching applications and servers ;-) Feel free to leave a comment to share your experiences, e.g.

• with the new Oracle JDK release cadence and licensing.
• Or maybe some funny stories with JRE and JavaFX?

Sources:

• https://docs.oracle.com/en/java/javase/11/migrate/index.html#JSMIG-GUID-561005C1-12BB-455C-AD41-00455CAD23A6
• http://java.com/en/download/faq/distribution.xml
• https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/javaclientroadmapupdate2018mar-4414431.pdf
• https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbestechcouncil/2018/01/08/developers-are-lazy-and-thats-usually-a-good-thing/
• https://medium.com/@javachampions/java-is-still-free-c02aef8c9e04
• https://openjfx.io
• https://openjdk.java.net
• https://adoptopenjdk.net/index.html