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I would like to uninstall as many Oracle products from my computer as possible because I don't like that company. However, I require Java for some of my applications, e.g. Eclipse.
What alternatives exist for the Oracle Java Runtime Environment for Windows that will work with third party apps?
Steven smethurst
Posted 2011-10-21T21:20:37.837
Reputation: 417
5
Just to be clear, there "Java" is not one thing.
Java Runtime Environment (JRE) - the most common form of Java, allows applications written in Java to run on your computer. This is the "java plugin" or the "java virtual machine (jvm)"
Java (the language) - an object oriented programming language.
Java (the compiler) - turns Java code (language) into class files that can be executed by the JRE/JVM.
Java (the library) - a set of components for cross-platform GUI and other programming elements.
I assume you're asking about replacing the JRE, the Java plugin that most people use. If you mean otherwise, please update your question.
Microsoft used to have a Java Virtual Machine included on all their OSes, but that is usually ignored in favor of a JRE plugin from Oracle.
There are a few other JRE/JVM replacements you can try:
JOEQ (ironically enough itself written in Java) - http://sourceforge.net/projects/joeq/
Wonka - http://wonka.acunia.com/
Sable (no longer actively maintained) - http://sourceforge.net/projects/sablevm/files/
Each of these may have some amounts of compatibility, but you'll probably find when running Java meant for a newer version of the JRE, you may run into compatibility issues.
Something else to consider is whether or not you really need Java. Are there specific tasks you do that actually explicitly require JRE to run? If not, try going without it.
music2myear
Posted 2011-10-21T21:20:37.837
Reputation: 34 957
There's also IcedTea but I don't know if it works on OSX or Windows. I'd guess there's a port if it can't be built directly on those platforms, though. – None – 2011-10-21T21:42:16.750
You are correct I do mean Java Runtime Environment (JRE). Question updated.
Also as far as I can tell the only application that I have that requires java is eclipse. I'm testing your suggestions now. – Steven smethurst – 2011-10-21T22:30:48.780
Also I want to add information about Zing JVM for high load enterprise ( http://www.azulsystems.com/products/zing/whatisit ). it's expensive but may be useful.
– Eir Nym – 2012-08-30T11:37:39.6274
The Oracle JRE is built from OpenJDK. You can get OpenJDK from many sources, including building it yourself. Azul Systems (my employer) offers the Zulu family of downloads, all of which provide OpenJDK binaries certified to meet the Java Standard Edition test specs for each major Java version (today 8, 7, and 6.) It should be a suitable replacement for your Oracle Java runtimes on any of Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X platforms. Zulu is free to download from www.azul.com/zulu. I hope this helps. Disclosure: I am product manager for the Zulu and Zing product lines at Azul Systems.
Matt Schuetze
Posted 2011-10-21T21:20:37.837
Reputation: 141
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I've never used it but you may want to look into OpenJDK.
Chris Nava
Posted 2011-10-21T21:20:37.837
Reputation: 7 009
OpenJDK seems to be for linux only. – Steven smethurst – 2011-10-21T22:25:55.680
@Funvill: There are (outdated) unofficial builds of OpenJDK for Windows available at OpenSCG.
– Aluísio A. S. G. – 2011-10-22T02:44:57.490
Oracle Java virtual machine? :S – Simon Sheehan – 2011-10-21T21:31:30.723
Which operating system are you using? – music2myear – 2011-10-21T21:43:34.147
Not liking Oracle as a company is a silly reason to remove their JVM, especially since it's probably the most stable one as of now, being the official reference implementation. – None – 2011-10-21T21:43:46.683
@esalaka I don't use java in most of my apps, and I really dislike Oracle. Why would I use products from a company that I pretty much hate at this moment.? – Steven smethurst – 2011-10-21T22:23:30.223
@music2myear I am using windows vista, soon to be win7. – Steven smethurst – 2011-10-21T22:24:31.720