Why is JRE 10 outdated and JRE 8 up-to-date?

Question

I (as a non-Java kind of guy) am puzzled that my local JRE 10 installation required an update, but when updating, I get the JRE 8! This is even reported on https://java.com/en/download/more_info10.jsp:

Users who installed JRE 9 and/or JRE 10 (non Long-Term Support Releases) should remove those out-of-date versions of Java.

I would understand if JRE 11 would be the current version, but no, it's JRE 8:

If you still require Java on your computer download the latest release of JRE 8 available at java.com, which is the only currently supported major release of Java targeting desktop deployment.

How can this be?

Answer 1

The explanation is right there on that page you linked and quoted.

Relevant section highlighted. "desktop deployment".

If you still require Java on your computer download the latest release of JRE 8 available at java.com, which is the only currently supported major release of Java targeting desktop deployment.

Short answer:

• Java 9 and 10 are not a Long Term Support (LTS) release, and have expired.
• Java 8 commercial supports end January 2019, public updates for personal use through December 2020 though.
• Java 11 is the current and is also a LTS support release.

So todays choice is between java 8 and 11. But 11 removed applets and browser integration and other desktop technologies (JavaFX, java webstart etc). See list below and link to source. See also the Oracle white paper of 2018-03, Java Client Roadmap Update.

Further details: Oracle has decided to stop releasing several variants of JRE on their own. As well as requiring a license for production use for newer releases. For example 32bit variants are no more, traditional desktop variants not available as there is no no java webstart and javafx is separated out since jdk 11+ etc, Oracle is more focusing on 64bit and server.

Put together with the fact that 9 and 10 are not Long term support releases (and they have expired) this leaves you with the choice of Java 8 for this particular use case for now.

JDK public updates for java 8 from oracle will end in January 2019 (and December 2020 for personal use) so at least until then is the current desktop java version of choice, from Oracle that is.

The current version of java 11, is only available as a 64bit JDK (development kit download) from oracle. No suitable desktop JRE (just the runtime).

Removed in JDK 11 release from Oracle: Important Changes and Information The following are some important changes in and information about this release. In some cases, additional details about the changes described below are provided in these Release Notes.

• The deployment stack, required for Applets and Web Start Applications, was deprecated in JDK 9 and has been removed in JDK 11.
• Without a deployment stack, the entire section of supported browsers has been removed from the list of supported configurations of JDK 11.
• Auto-update, which was available for JRE installations on Windows and macOS, is no longer available.
• In Windows and macOS, installing the JDK in previous releases optionally installed a JRE. In JDK 11, this is no longer an option.
• In this release, the JRE or Server JRE is no longer offered. Only the JDK is offered. Users can use jlink to create smaller custom runtimes.
• JavaFX is no longer included in the JDK. It is now available as a separate download from openjfx.io.

Source: https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/11-relnote-issues-5012449.html

Answer 2

Simple: Oracle's own support roadmap lists Java 8 as having "premier" support until 2022.

Conversely, Java 9 and 10 have had their premier support lapse in March and September of 2018. Oracle's new update model ensures that non-LTS releases from Java 9 onwards are only officially supported until the new version of Java arrives.

"Current" is a bit of a strong word when it comes to Java; technically, the latest version of Java that should be used by end consumers is Java 11 (as of time of writing), since that is the current LTS. However, not all applications which use Java may be up-to-date, so it's safest to fall back to Java 8 until your application vendor informs you that it's safe to upgrade.