The Java Platform, Standard Edition (Java SE platform) and Java for Business are currently shipping from Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the form of the Java Development Kit (JDK), and Java Runtime Environment (JRE). The current releases of the software and links to older versions are available from Java for Business download page and the Java SE download page.

Sun intends to offer three years of standard support for Java SE release families. Java for Business will offer customers 10 years of standard support, and an additional five years of retirement support per release family. For more details, see Java technology support road map.

The growth in the use of the Java SE platform inside deeply embedded, mission-critical systems as well as in enterprise-scale desktop deployments since the release of Java SE 1.4.2 has led to an increasing volume of requests from customers to offer longer and more flexible support options for the platform. Whether from end customers with in-house applications that just want continued access to critical fixes or from partners looking to extend the support life of the Java applications they distribute onto new operating environments (such as Windows Server 2008), Sun received overwhelming feedback that the existing policy needed to change. By migrating Java SE to a shorter support road map for Java SE releases and offering a much longer (more than 2x) support road map for Java for Business, Sun is in a better position to support the diverse needs of the Java SE community in a sustainable fashion.

Java for Business is a Java SE compatible, binary product for customers using Java SE that offers an extended product support life, faster access to critical fixes, and expanded enterprise deployment functionality.

Java for Business updates and releases are derived from the Java SE platform and are based on the same core technology. Expanded support, product maintenance and enterprise deployment options provide customers the ability to operate with greater flexibility and run on release families longer with less risk.

Each release of the Java SE platform and Java for Business is based on the same core technology: Java Compiler, Java Virtual Machine, Java Class Libraries, Java Plugin, Java Debugger, and many other tools. For more information, please see:

• Java SE Technologies
• Java SE Documentation
• Java for Business

Sun provides Java SE and Java for Business for use with the Solaris Operating Environment, Microsoft Windows, and Linux platforms.

• Java SE Supported Platforms
• Java for Business Supported Platforms
• Additional platform support is available through Sun's network of licensees

Java SE continues to be available under the Sun Binary Code License (BCL) with no additional cost for its use. The only change to the Java SE platform is the length of time for which Sun intends to provide updates and support for Java Se release families. For more information on licensing terms, see the license overview page.

You can download and evaluate Java for Business for 90 days free of charge. For specific terms and conditions, see the product license.

For a high-level overview of the core features in the latest release family of Java SE, visit the Java SE web site. Full details on the Java Community Process (JCP) approved features of the release are available on the related Java Specification Request (JSR) Page. Java for Business overview provides more details on the features and benefits added to that technology with the Java for Business releases.

Java SE and Java for Business update releases provide all the latest fixes and enhancements for a Java SE or Java for Business product release family. Update releases contain a cumulative number of high priority bug fixes. On occasion, update releases may also resolve security issues as identified by the Sun Alert notification program. Update releases are available in the form of a complete Java Runtime Environment (JRE), and Java Developer Kit (JDK).

Sun delivers Java SE and Java for Business update releases for the latest product release family approximately 3-4 times per year. Update releases for earlier supported product release families are less frequent.

Java for Business revisions provide a complete, revised platform that contain a limited number of critical fixes built upon a specific update of a product release family. Revisions are available in the form of a complete Java Runtime Environment (JRE), and Java Developer Kit (JDK). Two types of revisions are available:

• Standard revisions are based on the most recent revision or update of a Java for Business product release family.
• Custom revisions are Java for Business revisions produced by Sun for older (non-current) revisions or updates of a Java for Business product release family (additional fees apply).

No, revisions are only available for Java for Business.

Java for Business custom revisions are only available for use in existing deployed systems and applications.

Custom revisions will be provided directly to the purchasing customer, and are not made generally available to the community.

A Solaris user can download and use any standard revision of Java for Business.

Subscribers to Java for Business can contact a Sun service or sales representative to request a quote for Sun to create a custom revision. For information on how to subscribe to Java for Business, please click here.

Sun performs rigorous internal testing (regression, functionality, and stability) to ensure the quality and compatibility of family update releases. Sun intends and expects Java SE update releases to be upgradeable by customers without regressions.

In the event that a product family update or revision introduces any regression from earlier behavior, customers are encouraged to report the problem to Sun immediately and we will make our best efforts to resolve the issue promptly. Java for Business customers can report a regression through their regular support channels so that we can work towards resolution of the issue for you. Customers can also report issues online at: http://bugs.sun.com/services/bugreport

If you need Java SE v1.4.2 support post-EOSL (October 30, 2008), consider purchasing Java for Business, which will guarantee ongoing support for Java for Business v1.4.2 and updates until April 2013 (Standard, Premium Subscriptions) or April 2018 (Premium Plus Subscriptions).

Sun delivers Java SE and Java for Business update releases for the latest product release family approximately three to four times per year. Update releases for earlier supported product release families are less frequent.

Java SE continues to be available under the Sun Binary Code License (BCL) with no additional cost for its use. The only change to the Java SE platform is the length of time that Sun intends to provide updates and support for Java SE release families. The Java technology support and EOL road map provides more information. Java for Business binaries are provided under separate licensing terms, derived from Sun's standard Software License Agreement (SLA). A summary of the Java SE and Java for Business licensing terms is provided below:

Java SE

Internal/In-house use: The Java SE platform binaries (JDK and JRE) are licensed under Sun's Binary Code License (BCL) with supplemental terms. For most developers and end-users, the binary JDK and binary JRE are all that's needed to experience the world of Java technology. USE: The binary JDK and JRE are available at no fee from Sun (per terms of the BCL) for use with desktop personal computers. JDK or JRE use for embedded devices and other computing environments may require a license fee from Sun. Read more about embedded use of Java SE, or contact your local Sun office to obtain a license.

Redistribution: Both the JDK and JRE can be freely redistributed with value-add (per terms of the BCL). In addition, personal computer manufacturers and distributors may become authorized to pre-install the JRE on Windows operating system-based personal computers. Read More

Source Code: The JDK source code is available for researchers and others interested in exploring the details of the JDK. Each release has its own license or set of licenses which frequently includes the Sun Community Source License (SCSL) terms. Sun has recently started offering simplified access to the JDK source code under the a new Java Research License (JRL). Note that in either case (SCSL or JRL), if you decide to use your project internally for productive use or distribute your product to others, you must sign a commercial agreement and meet the Java compatibility requirements. Contact your local Sun office to obtain an agreement.

Documentation: Generally, the Java SE documentation is not redistributable. Individuals can download the Java SE documentation for their own use or simply browse online. More information on documentation redistribution is available here.

Finding a specific License: Each release has its own license for binary code, source code, and documentation available on the Java SE download page.

Java for Business

All use and redistribution of the Java for Business binaries are licensed under Sun's Software License agreement.

Internal/In-house use – on Solaris: The Java for Business binaries (JDK &JRE) are available for individual and commercial use on the Solaris operating environment for no additional cost. For most customers, this will allow them to pick up the Solaris Java for Business JDK or JRE and use it in place of the Solaris Java SE JRE or JDK they have in use today. The license provided with Java for Business (JRE &JDK) provides the complete details regarding terms and conditions.

Internal/In-house use – with other Sun software: The Java for Business binaries (JDK &JRE) are also available for individual and commercial use with other Sun software, such as Sun's identity management, Web and application server products, at no additional cost. For most customers, this will allow them to pick up the Java for Business JDK or JRE and use it in place of the Java SE JRE or JDK they have in use with their Sun software today. The license provided with Java for Business (JRE &JDK) provides the complete details regarding terms and conditions. This use at no additional cost is available if only the Sun software is exercising or otherwise leveraging the functionality of the Sun Java for Business binaries.

Internal/In-house use – other Platforms (not with Sun Software): Customers can purchase individual and commercial use subscriptions or perpetual rights to use Java for Business binaries (JDK &JRE) internally on a per desktop, per server, or per employee (site license) basis. More details on Internal/In-house use license options and pricing is available on the product Web site.

Redistribution – Solaris Binaries: The Solaris Java for Business binaries (JDK &JRE) are available for redistribution environment for no additional cost, provided those companies register as a Licensed Solution Provider. For most partners, this will allow them to pick up the Solaris Java for Business JDK or JRE binaries and use it in place of the Solaris Java SE JRE or JDK binaries they have in use today. The license provided with Java for Business (JRE &JDK) provides the complete details regarding terms and conditions.

Redistribution – other Platforms: Partners can purchase the right to both redistribute Java for Business binaries with their products and/or enable their customers to download Java for Business binaries (JDK &JRE) directly from Sun. For most partners, this will allow them and their customers the ability to access and use Java for Business binaries in essentially the same fashion as with Java SE. An overview on the options as to how a customer can purchase redistribution rights for other platforms is available on the product Web site.

See the list of Java SE Authorized Licensees.

No, we need to let other companies speak for themselves.

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a. Where do Auto-download licensing provisions come from?

Java SE version 1.4 introduced Java Web Start technology as part of the core Java platform. Java Web Start allows Java applications to be downloaded and run from a Web browser, in the same way that Java-based applets are downloaded and run today.

b. How does Java Web Start work?

When a user clicks on a Java Web Start link, a JNLP file is downloaded and then read by the Java Web Start helper application. The JNLP file is a small XML document that contains information about the application that the user is trying to launch, where the application is located on the network, the application version, and the version of the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) that is required to run the application. The JNLP file is authored by the application provider, and serves as a set of instructions that Java Web Start will use to download, install, run, and update the application when a new version is available.

c. Is this a change from the existing Java security model?

No. Java applications still run in the Java "sandbox," and the Java SE security model is preserved so that malicious code cannot be downloaded and run on the client machine. In other words, Java Web Start extends the same Java SE security model used for applets to now include Java applications. A Java application can request direct access to local machine resources such as the file system. In these cases, the user must grant the application permission to operate outside of the sandbox, and this is accomplished by presenting warning/permission dialogues to the end user.

d. Where do the automatic software updates from Sun come into play?

Java Web Start provides application providers the ability to target a specific version of the Java Runtime Environment for their applications. For example, an application provider may develop, test, and deploy an application based upon version 1.3.1 of the JRE. If the application provider then wishes to take advantage of new functionality in a newer release of the JRE, such as version 1.4, the application provider simply changes the target JRE in the JNLP file from 1.3.1 to 1.4. The next time a user runs the application, Java Web Start will detect that the application should now be run on version 1.4, and will automatically download and install version 1.4 if it is not already present on the client machine.

Sun Microsystems, Inc. does not proactively and automatically initiate software updates of the JRE. An updated JRE will only be downloaded and installed when a user attempts to run a Java Web Start enabled application that requires a version of the JRE that is not present on the client machine.

e. Can an application provider update their applications as well?

Yes. In the same way that a new version of the JRE can be downloaded and installed, the application provider can allow for newer versions of their applications to be downloaded and run. To do this, the application provider simply changes the version of the application to be run in the JNLP file, for example, from 1.0 to 2.0. The next time a user runs the application, Java Web Start will detect which version of the application should be run, and will automatically download and install the newer application if it is not already present on the client machine.

The application provider does not have the ability to proactively and automatically initiate software updates of their application. An updated application will only be downloaded and installed when a user attempts to run the application.

f. Does the software update from Sun erase my previous version of Java?

No. It installs a newer version of the Java Runtime Environment while leaving the existing versions intact. For example, a client machine can have the Java SE versions 1.3, 1.3.1, 1.3.1_02, and 1.4 installed at the same time without conflict. This is useful for when application provider A has only certified their application on version 1.3, while application provider B requires version 1.4 for additional features or functionality. There are no conflicts or collisions between JRE versions, as they all peacefully co-exist.

As a member of the Sun Developer Network, you can browse the Bug Parade to see what Bugs have been filed and which have the most votes.

• Join the Sun Developer Network
• Browse the Bug Database
• Report a Bug

Please see the list of resources available in the Java Technology Online Support pages. See also the TroubleShooting and Diagnostic Guide (pdf).

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