Java on Mac OS X Server: game over?

Question

As a developer currently working on a Web app that uses a Java/Tomcat backend, the recent announcement by Apple to deprecate Java is causing me some consternation. Mainly because I'm planning on hosting this Web app on Mac OS X Server (already on 10.5, soon to be on 10.6).

From http://www.appleoutsider.com/2010/10/22/java/:

Since the Intel transition, building a server VM for Darwin is almost trivial.

Is this actually true? Is there a document somewhere that describes how to build a headless Java VM for Mac OS X Server?

Citral

Related: #4007752 – Lascivious

Asking to reopen because (1) A question about building a VM for Java is off-topic? Since when? (2) The other questions mentioned aren't discussing Mac OS X Server, which I am (3) I want a headless JVM, unlike those other questions – Citral

I don't think that this qualifies as "not related to programming or software development." Voting to reopen – Presidency

Why is this off-topic? Building a JVM is certainly related to software development. – Lascivious

@Lascivious please vote to reopen! – Citral

@Shaggy: Not enough rep, sorry. – Lascivious

Server VM yes, Aqua-friendly frontend no. – Pinnace

Answer 1

You should be able to build OpenJDK on Mac OS X without much trouble. It only has Windows and X11 frontends but since you are asking for a headless JVM, this should not be a problem for you.

Pre-built binaries of OpenJDK are also available for Mac OS X. See the SoyLatte project (a Java Research License may be required):

• http://landonf.bikemonkey.org/static/soylatte/#get

Note that SoyLatte has recently become part of the OpenJDK BSD-Port project:

• http://openjdk.java.net/projects/bsd-port/

Lascivious

I keep seeing people suggest SoyLatte, but isn't the binary distribution under the Java Research Licences, which seems fairly restrictive. – Mug

Yes, SoyLatte requires a Java Research License (I mentioned this in my answer). Note however that SoyLatte has become part of OpenJDK,and OpenJDK binaries do not require a Java Research License. Pre-built OpenJDK6 binaries are available for MacOS X (not yet the case for OpenJDK7). – Lascivious

Answer 2

Build instructions for OpenJDK on OS X Snow Leopard can be found at http://wikis.sun.com/display/OpenJDK/BSDPort. Apparently. Tomcat runs fine with OpenJDK, so you shouldn't have any real problems (even if Oracle never step up and provide an "official" JDK).

Dellinger