OpenJDK Through Zulu Community by Azul

Disclaimer

The views expressed on this site are my own and do not reflect the views of Oracle Corporation, a company that I am an employee of at the time of writing this blog post.

The opinions expressed by visitors on this site are theirs, and not mine.

Commercial Use of Java

A few months ago, I received a Java update message with a commercial use licensing message. Starting January 2019, Oracle no longer issues public updates for commercial users of Java SE 8, ending free updates for commercial use. Oracle has moved Java SE to a subscription-based licensing model. The Oracle Java license changed for releases starting April 16, 2019.

Oracle OpenJDK

At the time, I was using Oracle JDK (Java SE Development Kit) 8 to develop proprietary software for my business, Heaven's Disciples. However, Oracle does provide OpenJDK, which is free to use under the Open Source (GPLv2+CE) license.

Various organizations and companies provide OpenJDK builds and binary distributions, including AdoptOpenJDK, Amazon Corretto, Azul Zulu Community, BellSoft Liberica JDK, IBM OpenJDK, jClarity, Red Hat OpenJDK, SAP SapMachine, and others.

Zulu Community by Azul

I have chosen to go with Zulu Community, an OpenJDK build by Azul Systems that is TCK-tested and free to download and use without restrictions.

I plan on installing OpenJFX, the free version of JavaFX, through the Zulu Community downloads as well.

OpenJDK and Heaven's Disciples Java Software

After installing OpenJDK 12, I was able to run my proprietary Java software programs, including World Engine, a Space Engine planetary system editor.

World Engine (A Space Engine Planetary System Editor)

I'm currently building my first Java software application called World Engine, a Space Engine planetary system Editor.

The World Engine 0.0.1 (Pre-alpha) user interface.

Space Engine is a universe simulator, astronomy software, and game engine developed by Russian astronomer and computer programmer Vladimir Romanyuk. The software's 3D planetarium and game engine uses scientifically accurate data and procedural generation to create space objects.

I am using Space Engine to create the Atlantica Worlds for the Heaven's Disciples Universe. These worlds will be life-size procedurally generated 3D planetary mass objects.

The World Engine application under construction in the Eclipse IDE.

World Engine will make it easier to create stars, planets, moons, asteroid belts, comets, space anomalies, spacecraft and other space objects. Instead of manually editing Space Engine script files, I'll be able to use World Engine to create these space objects using a user interface.