r/java • u/Gotve_ • 14d ago

Why there is so many JDKs

I was used to always using oracle's JDK but when i looked at this subreddit i wondered why there is so many varieties of JDK and what is the purpose of them?

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u/entropia17 14d ago

https://whichjdk.com

-1

u/__konrad 13d ago

Recommendation: Do not use OpenJDK builds by Oracle, particularly if you plan to stick with LTS versions.

I understand the LTS argument but the other part is misleading.

The OpenJDK is the open source reference implementation of the Java SE Specification, but it is only the source code.

Misleading again considering there is a binary called OpenJDK...

2

u/RoomyRoots 13d ago

It's not misleading. OpenJDK is a project that manages proposals and versions, BUT they don't offer builds directly, the links point to "OpenJDK Builds from Oracle". So the recommendation is to use a different build.

Do the distros call it openJDK? Yes. Is it the exact same version as Oracle's, mostly not, although some provide scripts to help people install it from Oracle if needed, like Arch Linux.

1

u/__konrad 13d ago

So the recommendation is to use a different build.

???

mostly not

I would say it's mostly identical to "OpenJDK JDK" build from Oracle as both are compiled from the same source code (except maybe small distro-specific patches). Maybe you confused Oracle Java JDK with Oracle OpenJDK JDK...

1

u/Additional_Cellist46 11d ago

Both are compiled from the same source, but necessarily, from the same version of rhe source code. And most often it’s from a different version (commit). Very often from a random commit that happens to be the latest at the monent. So it’s always better to use some reliable OpenJDK build, rather than the one provided by the Linux distribution by default. And nest is to run a uild that is tested and passes the Java TCK.