Ubuntu Java receives additional firepower from Canonical's updates
In the ever-evolving world of software development, Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu, is making strides to enhance Java support on its popular Linux distribution. Here's a look at some of the key initiatives Canonical has introduced to improve developer and enterprise experiences.
Canonical has introduced its own builds of OpenJDK, which are thoroughly tested for correctness using the Eclipse AQAvit framework and verified against the Technology Compatibility Kit (TCK) to ensure compatibility. These builds receive industry-leading security maintenance via Ubuntu Pro, with extended support for OpenJDK 8 until 2034 and at least 12 years for other LTS versions. This extended support spans multiple architectures, ensuring broad hardware compatibility.
To optimize Java runtime environments, Canonical offers chiseled Ubuntu containers for OpenJRE versions 8, 17, and 21. These containers are slimmed down using Canonical’s open-source tool Chisel, optimizing image size by including only essential components. Performance optimizations for containers are also incorporated, including novel technologies like CRaC (Coordinated Restore at Checkpoint) to improve startup times and overall efficiency in container environments.
To streamline Java application development, especially with the popular Spring framework, Canonical has released a pre-assembled "devpack" for Spring as a Snap package. This devpack simplifies environment setup by bundling the JDK, build systems, and relevant tools, enabling faster project kickstarts. Future plans for the devpack include expanded plugin support to improve code formatting, analysis, dependency checking, and reproducible builds, aiming to enhance developer productivity and ease of use on Ubuntu.
AdoptOpenJDK, a website offering prebuilt OpenJDK binaries, has evolved into an Eclipse-based working group named Adoptium. This group is responsible for maintaining the pre-built Java SE runtime called Temurin, which is offered by Eclipse.
It's worth noting that the move to charge more for Java licenses by Oracle is not winning it any friends, with users urged to check their usage before the bills arrive. In contrast, Canonical's initiatives aim to provide robust, secure, and optimized Java solutions at no additional cost to users.
In summary, Canonical enhances Java support on Ubuntu by providing robust, secure OpenJDK builds, optimized containerized Java runtime environments, and ready-to-use developer packs tailored for the Spring framework, all backed by long-term enterprise-grade maintenance and performance optimizations. With these initiatives, Canonical is positioning Ubuntu as a go-to platform for Java development in enterprise environments.
Canonical's ventures extend beyond Java support on Ubuntu, as they also offer containerized Java runtime environments using OpenJRE versions, optimized through Canonical's open-source tool, Chisel. This is accompanied by the incorporation of performance enhancing technologies like CRaC for efficient startup times in container environments.
Canonical simplifies Java application development, particularly with the Spring framework, by releasing a pre-assembled devpack as a Snap package. This devpack bundles the JDK, build systems, and necessary tools, promoting faster project initiations and enhancing developer productivity.
Moreover, Canonical's initiatives prioritize offering robust, secure, and optimized Java solutions at no extra cost, in contrast to increased Java licensing fees by Oracle. This approach underscores Canonical's positioning of Ubuntu as a preferable platform for Java development, with a focus on enterprise environments.
