Oracle JDK Service Lifecycle (End of Life)
Last updated on April 18, 2024
The Java Development Kit (JDK) is a software development environment meant for developers, for developing applications in Java. It includes both the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) and the Java Virtual Machine (JVM).
JDK can be downloaded and installed on multiple platforms including Windows, Linux, and macOS, which is why the developers can create complex applications in Java for all of these platforms.
Oracle JDK is a closed-source software that now requires a license for commercial use. In 2017, Oracle announced free Java licensing. However, in 2023, they reiterated their pricing models and may now incur a cost to the commercial users of JDK.
Support status guide
End of life (EOL) is the end of a product’s useful life. When a product reaches the end of its life cycle, the manufacturer no longer supports it. The following table explains the different phases of a product’s lifecycle. Testing status is when the product is initially released and EOL is when product support is no longer offered. The time between these two points is the support timeframe.
Testing
The software is not yet publicly available. It is in testing phase i.e., alpha, beta, release preview etc.
Active
The software is actively supported by the vendor.
Phasing Out
The software will soon reach its end of life. You need to look for upgrade or migration options. The software will automatically go into phasing out status 2 months before end of life.
End Of Life
The software is no longer supported by the vendor. You need to make sure your system and environment are safe.
Version
Released
Active Support
Extended Support
(19 March 2024)
(17 September 2024)
(19 September 2023)
(30 September 2028)
(30 September 2031)
(21 March 2023)
(19 September 2023)
(20 September 2022)
(21 March 2023)
(22 March 2022)
(20 September 2022)
(14 September 2021)
(30 September 2026)
(30 September 2029)
(16 March 2021)
(14 September 2021)
(15 September 2020)
(16 March 2021)
(17 March 2020)
(16 September 2020)
(17 September 2019)
(17 March 2020)
(19 March 2019)
(17 September 2019)
(25 September 2018)
(30 September 2023)
(31 January 2032)
(20 March 2018)
(25 September 2018)
(21 September 2017)
(20 March 2018)
(18 March 2014)
(31 March 2022)
(31 December 2030)
(11 July 2011)
(31 July 2019)
(19 July 2022)
(12 December 2006)
(31 December 2018)
(30 September 2004)
(30 October 2009)
(13 February 2002)
(30 October 2008)
(8 May 2000)
(31 March 2006)
(4 December 1998)
(30 November 2003)
(18 February 1997)
(9 October 2002)
(23 January 1996)
(7 May 1996)
The Oracle JDK follows a 6-month rapid-release release cycle. This means that every 6 months, a newer major version of JDK is published. Since it is released so often, the active support, or the “Premier support” for each version lasts only 6 months as well, unless it is a Long Term Servicing (LTS) release. No other support is offered for these regular releases.
Before Oracle JDK 17, the LTS releases had no specific schedule. Now, Oracle follows a schedule of 2-yearly LTS release. That said, LTS releases have a Premier support duration of 5 years, an additional 3 years of extended support, and then an indefinite period of “Sustaining support” in which Oracle provides assistance, but no bug or security fixes.
Here are the brief details of what each type of support offers:
- Premier support: Includes bug and security fixes, as well as minor improvements. 6 months for regular releases, 5 years for LTS releases.
- Extended support: Applies only to the LTS releases, for 3 years after the expiration of the Premier support. It includes bug and security fixes, as well as minor improvements.
- Sustaining support: This applies to the LTS releases for an indefinite time. Users only receive assistance from Oracle; no bug or security fixes are offered.
EOLs
