Is Java WebStart Deprecated?

[Donald smith]

The release notes are accurate.

As we noted early in September [1]:

> As client application development continues to shift from the old “plugin” world to modern deployment, the need for a standalone Java Runtime Environment (JRE) that is installed centrally, separately from Java applications has diminished.  Using the ‘jlink’ tool introduced with JDK 9 will make it even easier for application developers to package and deploy dedicated runtimes rather than relying on a pre-installed system JRE.  Oracle will begin transitioning from the standalone architecture later next year in what will be a multi-year effort.


 - Don

[1] - https://blogs.oracle.com/java-platform-group/faster-and-easier-use-and-redistribution-of-java-se


> On Nov 3, 2017, at 4:30 PM, August Nagro <augustnagro at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> The Java 9 Release Notes [1] include:
> 
> "Java Deployment Technologies are deprecated and will be removed in a
> future release. Java Applet and WebStart functionality, including the
> Applet API, The Java plug-in, the Java Applet Viewer, JNLP and Java Web
> Start including the javaws tool are all deprecated in JDK 9 and will be
> removed in a future release."
> 
> The bell has been ringing for Applets for some time, but I am surprised by
> the inclusion of Java WebStart / JNLP. The technology is the recommended
> migration path from applets [2], and provides some really enabling features
> like os-agnostics shortcuts, icons, and the ability to auto-update in the
> background.
> 
> The `appletlauncher` executable has a clear deprecation warning in Java 9,
> but `javaws` has no such notice, leading me to believe there may be an
> error. In any case, Java Web Start is a mature, useful technology that has
> undoubtedly received large investment over the years. It's sudden removal
> would be quite disappointing.
> 
> Regards,
> 
> August Nagro
> 
> [1]:
> http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/9-deprecated-features-3745636.html
> [2]: http://openjdk.java.net/jeps/289