Microsoft has officially launched the Microsoft Build of OpenJDK, making it generally available for developers seeking a no-cost, open-source distribution of Java. Released on May 25, following a preview phase that began in April, this build provides an alternative to Oracle’s Java distributions, positioning itself as a competitive option for enterprise software developers. With its open-source nature and commitment to long-term support, the Microsoft Build of OpenJDK aims to meet the needs of organizations that rely heavily on Java for their critical applications.
The Microsoft Build of OpenJDK comes with binaries for Java 11, based on OpenJDK 11.0.11+9. This release supports server and desktop environments across major operating systems, including MacOS, Windows, and Linux. As a long-term support (LTS) release, Microsoft’s Java build will receive quarterly updates, providing stability and security for enterprise applications. Developers can easily download the build from Microsoft’s website, making it accessible for a wide range of users looking to integrate it into their projects.
One of the key features of the Microsoft Build of OpenJDK is its inclusion of fixes and enhancements that may not yet be part of the upstream OpenJDK project. These modifications, which could be important for customers or internal users, are backported into the Microsoft version and are clearly documented in the release notes. The source code for these updates is also available, ensuring transparency and enabling developers to track changes and improvements over time.
In addition to the general availability of the OpenJDK build, Microsoft is also releasing Docker images and corresponding Docker files. These are designed for use with any Java applications or components, offering a streamlined way to deploy and run Java workloads in containerized environments. Furthermore, Microsoft is publishing an Early Access binary of the OpenJDK build for Java 16 on Linux and Windows ARM, giving developers a head start on using the latest Java version with these platforms. With these offerings, Microsoft is expanding its support for the Java community, providing developers with more flexibility and tools for modern Java development.