Java SE 8 in WebSphere Application Server V8.5

WebSphere® Application Server V8.5 is adding support for Java™ Platform, Standard Edition 8, (Java SE 8). The IBM® SDK, Java Technology Edition, Version 8 is the implementation of Java SE 8 that WebSphere Application Server V8.5 can use on V8.5.5.9 and later and it is fully compatible with Oracle Java SE version 8 libraries.

Java SE 8 adds features such as Lambda expression support and virtual extension methods, a more understandable date and time API, and improved security. Java SE 8 offers support for WebSphere applications to use the latest available Java features and standards.

Attention: Starting in version 8.5.5.11, the default versions of Java are Java SE 6 or Java SE 8. As such, you can accept the default and install either Java SE 6 or Java SE 8 as the version of Java SE contained in the /java and /java64 directories in WebSphere Application Server and used by default during server and node configuration. Java 8 is the recommended Java SDK because it provides the latest features and security updates. You can continue to use Java SE 6, but no service can be provided after the end of support in April 2018, which might expose your environment to security risks.
Java SE 7 and Java SE 7.1 (not available for Solaris and HP) are also viable options for installing on WebSphere Application Server version 8.5.5.11.
  • The bit level of Java SE 7.0 is based on the bit level selected during the initial installation of WebSphere Application Server. If a 32-bit WebSphere Application Server is installed, then only the 32-bit Java SE 7.0 can be installed. If a 64-bit WebSphere Application Server is installed, then only the 64-bit Java SE 7.0 can be installed.
  • Installing the optional Java SE 7.0 or Java SE 7.1 does not imply that profiles can take advantage of this new version of Java. The managesdk command can be used to switch Java or the WebSphere Application Server administrative console (wsadmin) can be used to make the switch.

[8.5.5.14 or later]Starting in version 8.5.5.14, Java SE 8 is the default Java. When updating to 8.5.5.14, any existing profile that uses Java SDK 6 is replaced by Java SDK 8. You can continue to use Java SDK Java Technology Edition Version 7.0 and Version 7.1, but no service can be provided after the end of support in July 2022, which could expose your environment to security risks.

For more information on Java SE 6, 7, and 7.1 end of service, see Java SE 6, 7, and 7.1 end of service in WebSphere Application Server V8.5.

The com.ibm.websphere.IBMJAVA.v80 offering will be deprecated, and no fix packs or interim fixes will be provided for this offering after March 2020. If this offering is installed with WebSphere Application Server Version 8.5.5 after March 2020, uninstall it and switch to the default Java SE 8 SDK provided by the WebSphere Application Server package in the same package group. With the default Java SE 8 SDK, you continue receiving Java SE 8 SDK support, including security updates.

[8.5.5.18 or later]Starting in version 8.5.5.18 for Linux on POWER8 Little Endian (LE), the default versions of Java are Java SE 7.1 or Java SE 8. As such, you can accept the default and install either Java SE 7.1 or Java SE 8 as the version of Java SE contained in the /java directory in WebSphere Application Server and used by default during server and node configuration. Java 8 is the recommended Java SDK because it provides the latest features and security updates. You can continue to use Java SE 7.1, but no service can be provided after the end of support in July 2022, which might expose your environment to security risks.

You can use the user.wasjava=java8 property only with new installations of the product for Linux on POWER8 LE. The user.wasjava=java8 property does not work for product upgrades through fix packs for Linux on POWER8 LE.

[8.5.5.19 or later]Starting in version 8.5.5.19 for Linux on POWER8 Little Endian (LE), the default version of Java is Java SE 8. As such, you can accept the default and install Java SE 8 as the version of Java SE contained in the /java directory in WebSphere Application Server and used by default during server and node configuration. You can continue to use Java SE 7.1 by installing IBM WebSphere Java SDK Version 7.1, but no service can be provided after the end of support in July 2022, which might expose your environment to security risks.

The user.wasjava=java8 property is not required for installing and updating to version 8.5.5.19 for Linux on POWER8 LE.

Enhancements in Java SE 8

The following enhancements included with the Java SE 8 release:

  • Lambda Expression and Virtual Extension Methods

    The highlighting feature of Java 8 is the implementation of Lambda expressions and supporting features to the Java programming language and platform.

  • Date and Time API

    This new API allows developers to handle date and time in a more natural, cleaner, and easier to understand way.

  • Nashhorn JavaScript Engine

    A new lightweight, high-performance implementation of the JavaScript engine is integrated into the JDK and is available to Java applications through existing APIs.

  • Improved Security

    Replacing the existing hand-maintained list of caller sensitive methods with a mechanism that accurately identifies such methods and allows their callers to be discovered reliably.

    For further details about what is new in Java 8, see IBM SDK, Java Technology Edition, Version 8.

    For more information about new Oracle features, see Java 8 Information.