Appendix A. Selecting your Java

With the changes to Oracle JDK distribution and support, there has been considerable uncertainty over the rights to use Oracle JDK versus Oracle OpenJDK builds versus OpenJDK builds from other providers. Various ways exist to get free updates (including security) and (new and existing) paid support models available from multiple vendors to consider. For a complete write-up of this topic, please see the seminal guide: “Java Is Still Free” at http://mng.bz/Qvdw by the Java Champions (https://dev.java/community/jcs/) community, an independent body of Java leaders in the industry.

A.1 Java is still free

You can still get OpenJDK builds by several providers (including Oracle) with complete freedom under the GPLv2+CE license (see https://openjdk.java.net/legal/gplv2+ce.html). Oracle JDK remains free (from cost) in some circumstances. See the rest of this section for the exact nuances of this.

A.1.1 Java SE/OpenJDK/Oracle OpenJDK Builds/Oracle JDK

The OpenJDK community creates and maintains the (GPLv2+CE) open source Reference Implementation (RI) of the Java SE Specification as governed by the Java Community Process (JCP) and defined through an umbrella Java Specification Request (JSR) for each feature release. Implementations (mostly OpenJDK-based) of Java SE are available from various providers such as Alibaba, Amazon, Azul, BellSoft, Eclipse Adoptium (successor to AdoptOpenJDK), IBM, Microsoft, Red Hat, Oracle, SAP, and others.

Oracle JDK 8 has gone through the “End of Public Updates” process, which means updates from April 2019 require a support contract for production use. As mentioned earlier, you can get entirely freely licensed OpenJDK 8, 11, and 17 builds from other providers. Oracle also provides zero-cost binaries for Oracle JDK 17.

You have several options to get a JDK; this document focuses on Java SE 8, 11, and 17.

A.2 Staying with Java SE 8

Some people want to continue using Java SE 8 for various reasons:

1. Since the April 2019 update, Oracle JDK 8 has been under commercial use restrictions. To get an updated Java SE 8 binary, users can get a paid support plan for Oracle JDK 8 or use a Java SE 8/OpenJDK 8 binary from another provider.

2. If you are not using Oracle JDK 8, your current Java SE 8/OpenJDK 8 provider may offer updates or paid support plans.

A.2.1 $Free (as in beer) and free (as in use) Java SE 8

If you want free updates (including security) of Java SE 8, use an OpenJDK distribution that passes the TCK, such as Amazon, Azul, BellSoft, Eclipse Adoptium, IBM, Microsoft, Red Hat, SAP, and so on.

A.3 Getting Java SE 11

You can choose from the following options. Please read them carefully, especially how Oracle JDK manages releases and updates for Java SE 11:

1. For Java SE 11, Oracle provides their (OpenJDK based) JDKs via:

   1. Oracle OpenJDK 11 builds—Under the GPLv2+CE license
   2. Oracle JDK—Under a paid commercial license (but free for individual use, development, testing, prototyping, and demonstrating and with certain types of applications), for those who do not wish to use the GPLv2+CE or who are using an Oracle JDK with an Oracle product or service.

2. You can also get Java SE / OpenJDK binary distributions from a variety of other providers. These providers give you updates (including security) for a varying time but typically longer for an LTS version

A.3.1 $Free (as in beer) and free (as in use) Java SE 11

If you want free updates (including security) of Java SE 11, use an OpenJDK distribution that passes the TCK, such as, Amazon, Azul, BellSoft, Eclipse Adoptium, IBM, Microsoft, Red Hat, SAP, and so on.

A.4 Getting Java SE 17 (LTS)

You can choose from the following options. Please read them carefully, especially how Oracle JDK manages releases and updates for Java SE 17:

1. Starting with Java SE 17, Oracle provides their (OpenJDK-based) JDKs via:

   1. Oracle OpenJDK builds—Under the GPLv2+CE license
   2. Oracle JDK—Under the No-Fee Terms and Conditions (NFTC) license for three years and then a regular commercial license after that

2. You can also get Java SE/OpenJDK binary distributions from a variety of other providers. These providers give you updates (including security) for a varying time but typically longer for an LTS version.

Note The NFTC license has some restrictions on the free redistribution of Oracle JDK 17. Please make sure you read the license for details.

A.4.1 $Free (as in beer) and free (as in use) Java SE 17

If you want free updates (including security) of Java SE 17, use an OpenJDK distribution that passes the TCK, such as Amazon, Azul, BellSoft, Eclipse Adoptium, IBM, Microsoft, Red Hat, SAP, and so on.

A.5 Paid support

A wide range of paid support options exist for Java SE/OpenJDK 8, 11, and 17 binaries from Azul, BellSoft, IBM, Oracle, Red Hat, and so on. Azul also offers Medium-Term Support versions.