Understanding Oracle OpenJDK 1.8: Compatibility and Responsibility

Oracle OpenJDK 1.8 has been a popular choice for developers due to its extensive testing and readiness for production use. However, it's essential to understand that each release of the JDK vendors has gone through rigorous testing, and any features not ready for production are marked as either incubating or preview.

In Oracle OpenJDK 1.8, you'll notice that certain features are available by default, but only after extensive testing. The vendors involved in the development process include Amazon, Adoptium (the Eclipse Foundation), SAP, BellSoft, Microsoft, Azul Systems, Oracle, Red Hat, IBM, and more.

When it comes to compatibility, an app built for Java 8 can run on Java versions 8, 9, 17, 18, 19, and 20. This is because the JDK (Java Development Kit) is designed to be backward-compatible, allowing developers to create applications that can run on multiple versions of Java.

However, it's crucial to understand that dealing with compatibility issues is now entirely the responsibility of the app developer or distributor. This means that developers must take the time to ensure their applications are compatible with the latest version of Java and provide users with instructions on how to install the necessary JRE (Java Runtime Environment) or JDK.

In recent years, Oracle has shifted its focus from providing pre-packaged JREs for desktop applications. Instead, developers are now responsible for providing the necessary JRE or JDK for running their applications. This change is reflected in Oracle's white paper, Java Client Roadmap Update, 2020-05.

For developers looking to create native executables for their applications, jpackage can be used to create a custom executable that includes all necessary dependencies. Alternatively, jlink can be used to create a custom JRE for specific applications.

In conclusion, Oracle OpenJDK 1.8 is a reliable and tested version of Java that offers compatibility with multiple versions of the JDK. However, it's essential for developers to understand their responsibility in providing compatible applications and ensuring users have access to the necessary JRE or JDK. By doing so, developers can ensure their applications run smoothly and efficiently on various versions of Java.

Oracle openjdk 1.8