Does Google App Engine support Java 8?

Question

Trying to get started with Google App Engine - does it work with Java 8?

I've followed the instructions on this page: https://console.developers.google.com/start/appengine

Selecting 'Java', I successfully completed the Maven build, but when I visit localhost:8080 nothing is running.

The instructions say "make sure you have Java 7 JDK installed" however I have just installed Java 8 JDK.

Do I need to separately install Apache?

Answer 1

Java 8 is now generally available on App Engine Standard Environment, joining the GA runtime on the App Engine Flexible Environment.

Learn about the differences.

The new Java 8 runtime has all the benefits of Java 7 but with upgrades and enhancements:

• OpenJDK 8-based Java runtime supports the standard public Java library (no whitelist)
• Doesn't impose a security manager--your code won't be restricted by Java permissions issues.

Answer 2

Not at the time of writing but you can keep track of the status in this issue:

• Java 8 support: https://code.google.com/p/googleappengine/issues/detail?id=9537

Answer 3

[The passage of time has changed the 'no' from this accepted answer to 'yes'. Please see others answers below.]

Short answer, no. They will integrate it over time, but for now if you use it, it will cause you a lot of errors. I would recommend against it

Also take note of user7610's answer below :). It is as of now the only way to have Java 8 on the Cloud Platform

Answer 4

Update: it is available in the "standard" (sandboxed) offering since mid 2017, https://cloud.google.com/blog/products/gcp/java-8-on-app-engine-standard-environment-is-now-generally-available

Before then, it was sort-of available, via Managed VMs. The idea is that you provide a Docker container with whatever software you need (like Java 8) and GAE will use that as your app instance VMs. You still get the autoscaling, monitoring and all that.

The disadvantage of Managed VMSs is that you are charged as for the Compute Engine VMs. That means you pay by minute and there is no free quota. There is the $300 credit for new user accounts for 60 days, but after that you'd have to pay.