Search our courses

Latest Java Versions - Support and How to Upgrade

By GuruTeam, Monday, 14th January 2019 | 0 comments

With the release of Java 9 in September 2017, the release cycle of the Java language and runtime environment changed dramatically.Previously, new major versions of Java were released every few years (Java 7 in 2011, Java 8 in 2014 and Java 9 in 2017).

In the new release model, new versions of Java are now released every six months. So Java 10 was released in March 2018, Java 11 in September 2018 and Java 12 will be released in March 2019, with Java 13 following in September 2019.

However, support is only available for the long-term support (LTS) releases. The currently available LTS releases are Java 8 and Java 11 (the next LTS release after 11 will be Java 17, due to be released in September 2021).

This means that Java 9, 10, 12 & 13 are not supported releases and their use in production is strongly discouraged. They are referred to as "feature releases", but they are really best thought of as Technology Previews rather than full releases.

Oracle are ending Free Support for Java

Another major change that application teams will have to get to grips with is the question of support for Java. Since Java 7, the standard Oracle binaries for Java have been built from an open-source project called OpenJDK. Apart from the Oracle branding and licensing terms, Oracle's JDK is essentially the same as OpenJDK.

At the end of January 2019, Oracle are stopping free support updates for commercial use of Java 8.
This means that teams have two options - either pay Oracle for a support contract, or switch to OpenJDK and use one of several providers that are offering free binaries and support.

Even migrating to the latest LTS release (Java 11) will not help, as Oracle are only offering free support for Java 11 until March 2019 - after that the only support available will be paid-for.

This means that any team that does not want to pay Oracle for support will have to migrate to a new supplier for their Java binaries and installers. Fortunately, there are several alternative vendors to choose from.

OpenJDK Vendors and Free Support Options

A number of different vendors are now offering free downloads of Java binaries built from OpenJDK.
Some are also offering various support options, including both free and paid-for support.

The leading suppliers are:

  • AdoptOpenJDK - a community-run, multivendor, not-for-profit project supported by IBM, Red Hat and other vendors on Linux, Mac & Windows
  • Red Hat Iced Tea - free or paid support options from Red Hat
  • Azul Systems Zulu OpenJDK - free on x64 Linux and Mac, paid options for ARM / embedded. Free support on Microsoft Azure.
  • Amazon Corretto - Designed for AWS - only desktop OS and Amazon Linux  currently supported. Free support.

How To Upgrade

If you are currently running Java 8 and want to upgrade, you should move to Java 11 and use a non-Oracle provider, such as AdoptOpenJDK or one of the others, as your source for Java binaries.

If you're currently running Java 6 or Java 7, you should to move to Java 8 as soon as possible, as these versions are end-of-life and contain hundreds of unpatched bugs. Java 8 contains major new features that will help your developers be much more productive and your applications will usually run much faster on Java 8 than they currently do on Java 6 or 7.

With support from Red Hat, AdoptOpenJDK or one of the other providers, applications running on Java 8 will be supported, and receive bug fixes and security updates for at least 5 more years.
It is not recommended to upgrade directly from Java 6 or 7 directly to Java 11.

See how we can assist your team with learning about Upgrading to Java 8, or Migrating to Java 11

 

Technical ICT learning & mentoring services

Private Team Training

Our instructors are specialist consultants with vast real world experience and expertise allowing them to design and deliver client-focused courses for your organisation.

Learn more about our Private Team Training

What Our Clients Say

"Absolutely fantastic training. Thoroughly enjoyed it thanks to our highly enthusiastic tutor.  It wouldn't be an understatement to say that it was the best professional training that I have ever received."

 

Customised Linux with Networking

Live Online -  February 2022

 


“It was very positive. This course was 4 days but covered a semester worth of work if it was done in college. The labs were relevant and delegates were provided the lab/coursebook for further study and practice after the course finished. GuruTeam's course was excellent and provides a deeper understanding of the architecture and how it all works. The hands-on aspect was very helpful as it helped solidify the concepts as I went along."

 

Kubernetes Administration Certification - GTLFK

Live Online September 2024

 

 

 

“The Instructor was very knowledgeable, laid back and very approachable during the course. The environment setup was second to none.  Very easy to jump in and follow along with minimal pre-req setup."

Kubernetes Administration Certification - GTLFK

Onsite May 2024

 

“The experience was complete for me. I like how the training was sequenced - the slides organization, the examples and explanations and then the exercises. Time for exercises and support by the Instructor was great plus answering the questions and going out for answers and coming back with examples as brilliant. I loved how much I refreshed and how I learned and got inspired to improve stuff at work.”

 

Docker - GTDK1

Live Online December 2024

 

“Great instructor, who encouraged active participation. The breakout groups and exercises kept the group engaged and the content relevant to our own products”.

 

Site Reliability Engineering Foundation - GTDSRE

Live Online January 2022

 

 

 

"Intelligence is the ability to avoid doing work, yet
getting the work done"

Linus Torvalds, creator of Linux and GIT

Technical ICT learning & mentoring services

About GuruTeam

GuruTeam is a high-level ICT Learning, Mentoring and Consultancy services company. We specialise in delivering instructor-led on and off-site training in Blockchain, Linux, Cloud, Big Data, DevOps, Kubernetes, Agile, Software & Web Development technologies. View our Testimonials

Download our eBrochure
Our Accreditation Partners
  •  
  •  
  •  

 

Upcoming Courses

Kubernetes Admin

  3rd - 6th June 2025

 Live Online
 GMT +01:00  09:30 - 17:00 hrs

This Kubernetes Administration
Certification training course is
suitable for anyone who wants
to learn  the skills necessary to build and administer a Kubernetes cluster.

 

LEARN MORE

RUST PROGRAMMING INTRODUCTION

   6th - 9th May 2025

 Live Online
 GMT +01:00  09:30 - 17:00 hrs

This Rust Programming Introduction training course will help you understand what Rust applications look like, how to write Rust applications properly, and how to get the most out of the language and its libraries.
 

Learn More

NEW FAST TRACK PYTHON SERIES

April to June 2025

Live Online
GMT +01.00  09:30 - 17:00 hrs

Hit the ground running.....
GuruTeam’s new Python Fast Track series Instructor-led live online training
designed & delivered by industry experts.

Python Fast Track I Comprehensive
Python Fast Track II Expert
Python Fast Track III for Data Science

 

 

 

Learn More

GO PROGRAMMING INTRODUCTION

  19th - 22nd May 2025
  

Live Online
GMT +01:00  09:30 - 17:00 hrs

This Go Programming Introduction training course will help you understand how Go works, and immediately be more productive. If you are building a team using Go, this will be a great opportunity to get your team on the same page and speaking the same language.

Learn More

Newsletter

Stay up to date, receive updates on scheduled dates, new courses, offers, and events.

Subscribe to our Newsletter