OpenJDK Migration on foojay.io - Friends Of OpenJDK

Where production policy belongs: building Eliya in public

Fri, 19 Jun 2026 08:15:28 +0000

This is an argument about where production intent belongs in a managed runtime, and the OpenJDK distribution we built to act on it - Eliya, an opinionated, compliance-conscious OpenJDK distribution. This is the first article in a series. The later parts are engineering: reproducible builds, the glibc floor, release signing, the one source patch we shipped. This part is the thesis they all serve.

Every configurable system has two spaces. The configuration space: every behaviour you can reach by setting the knobs the system already exposes. And there’s the implementation space: behaviour that only exists if someone goes in and changes the internals.

Foojay Podcast #63: How do we keep your Java applications up to date and secure?

Mon, 16 Dec 2024 12:41:10 +0000

Last month, I published a Foojay article about the risks in systems that are stuck on old or outdated Java versions and got a lot of feedback from developers. Most of them want to move on but get stuck on management decisions, outdated production environments, or one of the many other reasons that keep systems stuck on old Java versions and dependencies.

Do you want to bring your system from Java 8 to 23? Did you know that Java 17 already has 13 security releases? And that you can use tools like OpenRewrite to help you update your code?

Connecting Resilience to Performance in Relation to OpenJDK

Thu, 22 Aug 2024 08:22:37 +0000

When considering the connection between performance and resilience in Java, especially in the context of OpenJDK distributions, specific distributions—like Azul Platform Prime, which includes Azul Zing, an enhanced build of OpenJDK for superior performance, consistency, and efficiency—offer unique features that can significantly influence how these two aspects are managed.

The Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) by the European Union adds another layer of importance to these considerations, particularly for financial institutions operating within the EU, regardless of whether they are themselves EU-based institutions.

Master Your Journey in the School of OpenJDK Migration

Sun, 30 Jun 2024 09:46:03 +0000

Azul has led so many OpenJDK migrations, we could write a book. Like, seriously, we wrote the book. If you prefer more a more visual, immersive experience, welcome to the School of OpenJDK Migration!

The School of OpenJDK Migration is your ultimate resource for mastering OpenJDK migration. Dive into our rich collection of webinars, where OpenJDK experts divulge their secrets, from foundational knowledge to advanced tactics, derived from industry knowledge and professional experience. You’ll leave the course with a blueprint to navigate the complexities of OpenJDK migration with confidence and ease.

Book Review: "OpenJDK Migration for Dummies"

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 04:48:45 +0000

I recently read the free book OpenJDK Migration for Dummies by Simon Ritter. Simon is the Deputy CTO at Azul Systems.

Azul has its own OpenJDK distribution which also has commercial flavors. So, obviously, my first thought was, “Well, of course, he’s going to say nice things about Azul’s JDK distribution and try to sell it everywhere”. But, to my surprise, that wasn’t entirely true. To be fair, he does sell Azul’s JDK a bit, and the goal of the book seems to include some marketing and advocacy for Azul. However, overall the book is what it promises in the title, a guide for migrating to an OpenJDK distribution, regardless of the vendor.

Review: OpenJDK Migration for Dummies

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 18:46:59 +0000

Have you been thinking of moving away from the Oracle JDK to OpenJDK? The book “OpenJDK Migration for Dummies”, written by Simon Ritter of Azul, provides direction for those who are looking to make the move.

In many cases, organizations develop Java applications to work on a specific version of the JDK. Oftentimes, as long as the application continues running without issue, organizations wouild not upgrade the JDK. As we well know, as with all software, as time goes on, the JDK which is in use can age and become out-of-date, exposing security vulnerabilities. Moreover, if the JDK in use is aging, then there likely have been many enhancements in more recently released JDKs which could provide performance benefits for the deployed application(s).

Book review: "OpenJDK Migration for Dummies"

Fri, 01 Sep 2023 07:42:43 +0000

In the past couple of years, there have been quite a lot of Oracle Java licensing changes which can have quite the impact on how much using the Oracle JDK will cost your organization, especially since under the latest terms it’s quite easy to have a “rogue” install cost you quite a bit.

This is where the new free book OpenJDK Migration for Dummies by Simon Ritter offers a very useful resource.

Well Worth My Time: "OpenJDK Migration for Dummies"

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 07:51:26 +0000

I’ve just read the (free) OpenJDK Migration for Dummies book. It was well worth my time!

I first started using Java in 1998, so I’ve got a long history with it and feel very comfortable with the language itself. However, the licensing changes and proliferation of OpenJDK distributions are much more recent, and those aspects can be a bit confusing.

The book is obviously written by a vendor, but it’s very honest about that. It does a good job of establishing the motivation for using OpenJDK, providing actionable steps for how to pursue that migration, and presenting meaningful information that a business should consider when selecting an OpenJDK vendor.

Is OpenJDK Just a Drop-In Replacement?

Fri, 18 Aug 2023 07:58:02 +0000

I don’t know anyone who is still using the Oracle JDK. It has been my recommendation for quite a while to just switch to an OpenJDK distribution as they are roughly drop-in replacements for Oracle’s official JDK. I’ve repeated that advice quite frequently but I guess I glossed over a lot of details that might be insignificant for hackers but can become a pretty big deal in an enterprise setting.

Book Review: "OpenJDK Migration for Dummies"

Fri, 04 Aug 2023 09:02:46 +0000

The subject of Java licensing and OpenJDK migration is complex and vital to many software engineers. I am no different. It’s a topic often shrouded in legal jargon and technicalities, making it difficult to approach.

“OpenJDK Migration for Dummies” bySimon Ritter offers a fresh perspective, breaking down these challenges into digestible segments. (Get it for free here.)

[

](https://www.azul.com/openjdk-migration-for-dummies/)

The book directly speaks to my core expertise in Java, providing clarity and guidance.

Book Announcement: "OpenJDK Migration Guide for Dummies"

Tue, 01 Aug 2023 16:15:47 +0000

For the fourth time in four years, Oracle has changed how it prices and licenses Java.

Many organizations that rely on Java are switching from the Oracle JDK to OpenJDK and taking advantage of significant cost savings in the process.

But if you have a variety of specialized Java applications, created at different times and running on different JDK versions, you may have some anxiety about making the switch.

But, worry no more, Java Champion Simon Ritter has you covered in a new (free) book.