Alternative to Oracle Java: Azul Platform Core

As we already know Java is application critical product and is currently being used over multiple
devices for development and functioning of applications in Cipla environment.

Here is how Oracle Java licensing works:

- Oracle Java/JDK versions and builds before Java 8 build 211 are free to use for development
& testing usage and distribution without modification use
- Oracle Java/JDK versions and builds released from JDK 17 through JDK 20 are also free to use
- Oracle Java/JDK versions from Java 8 build 211 to JDK 16 are paid products
- Now all the paid products are considered under a universal Oracle java subscription “Oracle
Java SE Universal Subscription”

*All Pricing are in $USD in above chart

*Oracle might provide an anouncement in the period of Septemeber2024 regarding Java licensing

Some applications like SAP based UIs will need Java for their operation, so Java from these machines
cannot be remediated/removed. Here are some alternatives to Oracle’s paid Java products that can
be used instead:

- Upgrading to Oracle JDK 17 and above (Application Compatibility to be considered in this

case as well)
- Downgrading to versions and builds prior to Oracle Java 8 build 211 (Application
Compatibility to be considered)
- Zulu free builds from Azul
- Azul Platform Core

Zulu Builds from Azul:

- Zulu builds of Java from Azul are free for use currently
- Versions 6, 7, 8, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18, 19 with quarterly updates, even though older Java 6 and 7
are end of life software
- OS supported for Zulu Java builds are – Windows, Linux, macOS and Solaris.
- 32- and 64-bit systems supported
- Direct drop-in replacement for Oracle Java
 - No critical fixes/patches available compared to Platform Core products

Azul Platform (Azul Platform Core and Azul Platform Prime):

- This product from Azul comes in two editions – Azul Platform Core & Azul Platform Prime
- Features in Azul Platform core are:
1. Access to stabilized builds (Security-wise)
2. Out-of-cycle critical fixes
3. Quarterly updates and security patches
4. Feature Enhancements like addition of new fonts and newer functionalities
5. Pricing Details here - https://www.azul.com/products/pricing/

- Features in Azul Platform Prime:

1. Everything in Azul Platform Core, and additionally-
2. Optimized output capability
3. In-built garbage collection storage (expandable to 8 TB)
4. System tools to optimize performance on older Linux versions
5. Pricing details here - https://www.azul.com/products/pricing/

Not to use below license java install base:

- Oracle Java/JDK versions from Java 8 build 211 to Java/JDK 16 are paid products

If you want to installed the same you will take approval from Management (business & IT)

Important links to Download.

Java SE17 Installation Link - https://www.oracle.com/java/technologies/javase/jdk17-archive-downloads.html

Java SE18 Installation Link - https://www.oracle.com/java/technologies/javase/jdk18-archive-downloads.html

Java SE19 Installation Link - https://www.oracle.com/java/technologies/javase/jdk19-archive-downloads.html

Java SE19 Installation Link - https://www.oracle.com/java/technologies/javase/jdk20-archive-downloads.html

Zulu All version available - https://www.azul.com/downloads/?package=jdk#zulu

Please find below the detailed information regarding Oracle Java (JDK and JRE) software licensing:

1. Versions up to which Java (JDK and JRE), JAVA SE Development Kit are freeware to use in a
commercial environment:

o Java SE versions up to 8 (specifically JDK 8 Update 211) are free under the Binary Code
License (BCL) for commercial use

o From JDK 8 Update 211 onwards, a commercial license is required

o Java SE 9 and 10 are free under the Oracle Technology Network (OTN) License

o Java SE 11 and later versions require a commercial license, except for versions 17 and later,
which are free under the No-Fee Terms and Conditions (NFTC)

2. Terms and conditions of OTN and BCL license:

o Binary Code License (BCL): Allows free use of Java SE for general purpose computing,
including commercial use, but with certain restrictions on redistribution and modification

o Oracle Technology Network (OTN) License: Permits free use for development, testing,
prototyping, and demonstration purposes, but not for production use without a commercial
license

o No-Fee Terms and Conditions (NFTC): Allows free use of Java SE for all purposes, including
commercial use, without requiring a commercial license

Regarding the request for JRE 1.8.0_171, this version falls under the free use category as it is prior to JDK 8
Update 211. Therefore, it can be used in a commercial environment without a paid license.

Please refer to the table below for a detailed breakdown:

Java SE Version Version Number Release Date Free/Paid Oracle License Agreement

JDK 1.0 (Oak) 1 01-Jan-96 Free Binary Code License (BCL)

JDK 1.1 1.1 01-Feb-97 Free Binary Code License (BCL)

J2SE 1.2 (Playground) 1.2 01-Dec-98 Free Binary Code License (BCL)

J2SE 1.3 (Kestrel) 1.3 01-May-00 Free Binary Code License (BCL)

J2SE 1.4 (Merlin) 1.4 01-Feb-02 Free Binary Code License (BCL)

J2SE 5.0 (Tiger) 1.5 01-Sep-04 Free Binary Code License (BCL)

Java SE 6 (Mustang) 1.6 01-Dec-06 Free Binary Code License (BCL)

Java SE 7 (Dolphin) 1.7 01-Jul-11 Free Binary Code License (BCL)

Java SE 8 1.8 01-Mar-14 Free/Paid Oracle Technology Network (OTN)

Java SE 9 9 21-Sep-17 Free Oracle Technology Network (OTN)

Java SE 10 10 20-Mar-18 Free Oracle Technology Network (OTN)

Java SE 11 11 25-Sep-18 Paid Oracle Technology Network (OTN)

Java SE 12 12 19-Mar-19 Paid Oracle Technology Network (OTN)

Java SE 13 13 17-Sep-19 Paid Oracle Technology Network (OTN)

Java SE 14 14 17-Mar-20 Paid Oracle Technology Network (OTN)

Java SE 15 15 15-Sep-20 Paid Oracle Technology Network (OTN)

Java SE 16 16 16-Mar-21 Paid Oracle Technology Network (OTN)

Java SE 17 17 14-Sep-21 Free No-Fee Terms and Conditions (NFTC)

Java SE 18 18 22-Mar-22 Free No-Fee Terms and Conditions (NFTC)

Java SE 19 19 20-Sep-22 Free No-Fee Terms and Conditions (NFTC)

Java SE 20 20 21-Mar-23 Free No-Fee Terms and Conditions (NFTC)