A high-performance Java runtime and development kit that supports the Java Standard Edition specifications
Building highly robust, scalable and reliable modern enterprise apps
IBM® Semeru Runtime® Certified Edition for z/OS® (formerly known as IBM 64-bit SDK for z/OS, Java Technology Edition) is certified to be compliant with Java Standard Edition specification, providing z/OS developers the ability to leverage new Java language features and stay current with the Java community. It provides a platform for building highly robust, scalable and reliable modern enterprise apps. Developers can build batch and transactional apps, microservices and more by using Java’s APIs, libraries and frameworks.
Test and deploy Java applications with Java Standard Edition APIs.
Run eligible Java work with IBM Z® Integrated Information Processors (zIIPs).
Leverage the class libraries from OpenJDK and the Eclipse OpenJ9 Java VM.
Enable Java apps to take advantage of the latest IBM Z instruction sets.
Deploy enhanced monitoring and diagnostics for your applications.
Leverage reliability, availability and serviceability enhancements.
Features
Reduce GC pause-times for response time-sensitive and large heap apps by using the Guarded Storage Facility introduced on IBM z14®.
Leverage the latest hardware decimal and vector-packed decimal instructions to optimize binary coded decimal operations with the Data Access Accelerator (DAA) library.
Adapt automatically to changing system resource and capacity by autoscaling GC and JIT compilation threads.
Interoperate with 31-bit native libraries via the Java Native Interface with your 64-bit Java application.
Take advantage of post-quantum cryptography, hardware security, z/OS JAAS Extensions, and keystore implementations including RACF keystores with Java Cryptography Extension.
Run Java app as batch jobs or started tasks. Access traditional z/OS data and key z/OS system services such as catalog search, log streams and more.
Case studies
IT service provider Atruvia AG has incorporated Java with COBOL in IBM IMS on IBM Z, allowing core banking functions to be accessible via APIs. This approach accelerates new service creation while extending application longevity and value.
Primeur leveraged Semeru Runtime on z/OS and Open Liberty as foundational elements for its flagship data integration platform, helping ensure robust and efficient operations on IBM Z.
Phoenix Software shares insights on their seamless experience upgrading to Semeru 17, highlighting improvements in performance and compatibility for Java applications on IBM Z.
Compare editions
| Edition details | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PAX edition | SMP/E edition | Installation Manager | z/OS Containers Platform | |
| Description | PAX archive installable format for a DIY installation. Use your existing IBMid for access or create one upon registration. | SMP/E (CBPDO, ServerPac) installable format can easily manage updates. Recommended for production deployments. Available through Shopz. | IBM Installation Manager (IM) installable format can help you manage product updates, available through IBM Fix Central or IM Repository. | You can leverage a containerized Java image to increase speed from development to deployment of z/OS Java based applications. |
| Installation and maintenance | Local and DIY installation, UNIX-friendly | Managed by using SMP/E tracking tool | Managed via IBM IM | Image on IBM Container Registry (ICR) |
| No license charge | X | X | X | X |
| Run your own applications | X | X | X | X |
| Full functionality | X | X | X | X |
| World-class IBM support | Entitled via S&S ID 5655-I48 | Entitled via S&S ID 5655-I48 | Entitled via S&S ID 5655-I48 | Entitled via S&S ID 5655-I48 |
| Download now | Obtain from Shopz | Installation instructions | Instructions |
Frequently asked questions
The IBM SDKs for Java are no-charge products that are ordered with IBM z/OS®. For the latest levels and fixpacks, visit the Pax edition download page, or go to Shopz for SMP/E versions.
Yes, the IBM SDKs for Java products have no-charge licenses.
Java code and the Java Virtual Machine are eligible to run on IBM z Integrated Information Processors (zIIP). User-native libraries invoked through Java Native Interface (JNI) are not eligible.
The IBM SDKs for Java are entitled for support via the IBM SDKs for z/OS S&S program ID (5655-I48). Customers can use subscription and support (S&S) program ID to open support cases. Note that support cases for Java applications within the IBM z/OS operating system and middleware products should be opened directly against those products.
To upgrade to the latest version of Semeru Java on z/OS, visit the migration portal.
To achieve interoperability between IBM COBOL and Java on IBM z/OS, visit the IBM COBOL and Java Interoperability portal.
Resources
Check out these Java tutorials to better understand Java on z/OS.
Learn more about new features, serviceability improvements and fixes from OpenJDK, OpenJ9 and IBM.
Browse through various resources to find hints and tips for working with Java on z/OS.
Learn why IBM continues to maintain its commitment to staying at the forefront of Java development.
Explore essential resources to get started with writing and running stand-alone Java applications on z/OS.