Oracle’s Java 2019 – The most important changes for BBj users
Oracle’s Java will be charged for operational use
All commercial users of Oracle’s Java releases that appear as of January 2019 must enter into an applicable royalty-based license agreement with Oracle. The Oracle JVM remains free of charge for private users and developers.
For a BBj user, this means that they can still operate the last version of the Java 8 release in 2018 for some time in 2019, but has to deal with the issue in a timely manner, so that they can update their systems and computers with safety-critical updates in 2019 which Oracle will then only license if purchased.
Solutions for BBj: Update to the BBj version 18.20 release that supports Open JDK. Alternatively, you can purchase Oracle’s Java.
For more information about Oracle, see e.g. at
https://www.oracle.com/de/corporate/pressrelease/java-se-subscription-offer-2018-06-25.html und https://www.oracle.com/assets/java-se-subscription-pricelist-5028356.pdf
Webstart has been removed from Oracle Java 11
Since BBj is typically started with its desktop ThinClient via Webstart and JNLP file, there is a need to take action soon.
Solutions for BBj: A first step towards the new, planned ThinClient boot mechanism has been available for some time now with the JNLP-exe-Packer Plug-In. It can be installed as of version 18.10 with the BBj plug-in manager.
With the plug-in, an existing JNLP definition in the Enterprise Manager can be compiled with a client package containing a version of the JRE, thus starting the BBj Thin Client, independent of any other Java versions installed on the user’s Windows machine.
A packaged client version avoids intensive client-server communication with the server at startup, including the time-consuming certificate checks. This can significantly speed up the launch of the application, which adds value to this plug-in. For information about the Plug-In Manager and how to use it, see https://www.bbj-plugins.com/en/get-started
Your colleagues at BASIS are already working on preparing this client package for OpenJDK 11, as well as creating client packages for Apple Mac and Linux clients.
JavaFX is no longer part of the Java installation packages
Oracle will no longer deliver the JavaFX packages with Java with the introduction of the license fees. JavaFX will have to be installed later if required.
There are some components in BBj, including the HTML View and the HTML Editor, which use JavaFX. BASIS is working to further reduce the internal dependency of JavaFX, e.g. in the HTML editor. As far as we know, however, JavaFX remains open source and free.
Solutions for BBj: BASIS has already installed the Chromium Browser as an alternative to the HTMLView component in BBj 18.10. Chromium is a much more powerful browser that combines faster page layout with better support of current HTML and JavaScript standards. Alternatively, JavaFX can be installed in subsequent versions of Oracle’s Java or under OpenJDK.