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In z/OS 3.2, IBM continues its tradition of Java™ support on z/OS, while exploiting IBM Z hardware features that are designed to deliver better performance and capabilities for your Java applications.
Required level of Java for z/OS 3.2
The following level of Java™ is required for z/OS 3.2 components and elements at general availability (GA):
- IBM Semeru Runtime® Certified Edition for z/OS, Version 21 (5655-JB1)
The Semeru 21 software development kit (SDK) supports the Java Standard Edition 21 language specification, which enables Java 21-compliant applications to be ported to and deployed on z/OS.
While z/OS 3.2 supports Java 17 and earlier Java levels for your applications and will continue to do so over their lifecycles, z/OS 3.2 is designed for Java 21 and later. New or enhanced functions in z/OS 3.2 now require Java 21, and additional product support is planned to be delivered over time through service refreshes. Functions that are unchanged from previous z/OS releases should work with earlier supported versions of the SDK (IBM SDK, Java Technology Edition).
For z/OS orders, Semeru 21 is available as a bypassable requisite when you order z/OS 3.2 through Shopz (as product 5655-JB1). For the specific Java dependencies for each z/OS element, see the table below. The Java dependencies must be followed for proper functioning of z/OS.
To use Semeru 21 for z/OS functions, you must ensure that the JAVA_HOME environment variable for your system references the correct Java runtime.
Required level of Java for z/OS 3.1
The following level of Java™ is required for z/OS 3.1 components and elements:
- IBM Semeru Runtime Certified Edition for z/OS, Version 21 (5655-JB1)
The Semeru 21 software development kit (SDK) supports the Java Standard Edition 21 language specification, which enables Java 21-compliant applications to be ported to and deployed on z/OS.
For z/OS orders, Semeru 21 is available as a bypassable requisite when you order z/OS 3.1 through Shopz (as product 5655-JB1). For the specific Java dependencies for each z/OS element, see the table below. The Java dependencies must be followed for proper functioning of z/OS.
To use Semeru 21 for z/OS functions, you must ensure that the JAVA_HOME environment variable for your system references the correct Java runtime.
z/OS elements and components that use Java
For the specific Java dependencies for each z/OS element and component, see the table that follows. The Java dependencies must be followed for proper functioning of z/OS.
| z/OS element or feature | Required level of Java |
|---|---|
| Base Control Program (BCP) | The following BCP components require IBM Semeru Runtime Certified Edition for z/OS, Version 21 (5655-JB1):
|
| Capacity Provisioning Manager (CPM) | IBM Semeru Runtime Certified Edition for z/OS, Version 21 (5655-JB1) |
| Common Information Model (CIM) | IBM Semeru Runtime Certified Edition for z/OS, Version 21 (5655-JB1) |
| DFSMS | The DFSMShsm feature requires IBM Semeru Runtime Certified Edition for z/OS, Version 21 (5655-JB1). |
| IBM Tivoli Directory Server | IBM Semeru Runtime Certified Edition for z/OS, Version 21 (5655-JB1) |
| IBM z/OS Liberty Embedded | IBM Semeru Runtime Certified Edition for z/OS, Version 21 (5655-JB1) |
| IBM z/OS Management Facility (z/OSMF) | IBM Semeru Runtime Certified Edition for z/OS, Version 21 (5655-JB1) |
| Infoprint Server | IBM Semeru Runtime Certified Edition for z/OS, Version 21 (5655-JB1) Note: With the installation of the PTF for APAR OA67298, Java support is no longer required for the Internet Printing Protocol (IPP) function of Infoprint Server (AOPIPPD). |
| PKI Services | IBM Semeru Runtime Certified Edition for z/OS, Version 21 (5655-JB1) |
| SDSF | IBM Semeru Runtime Certified Edition for z/OS, Version 21 (5655-JB1) |
| Security Server | IBM Semeru Runtime Certified Edition for z/OS, Version 21 (5655-JB1) |
| SMP/E | IBM Semeru Runtime Certified Edition for z/OS, Version 21 (5655-JB1) |
Upgrading from Semeru 17 and earlier releases
Semeru 17 is expected to reach end-of-market (EOM) on 6 October 2025. On that date, Semeru 17 will no longer be available for ordering on the IBM Shopz website, and Semeru 21 becomes the only available ordering option for all supported releases of z/OS.
IBM plans to discontinue support for Semeru 17 on 30 September 2026. Although Java 17 (while still in service) is supported on z/OS 3.1 for your own applications, you should expect that certain z/OS system-provided Java facilities require IBM Semeru 21
For your applications, z/OS 3.1 also supports the use of Java 17, 11, and 8 and will continue to do so over the lifecycles for these Java releases. Specifically, your applications can continue to use the following levels of the IBM SDK, while these levels are still supported:
- IBM Semeru Runtime Certified Edition for z/OS, Version 17 (5655-UA1)
- IBM Semeru Runtime Certified Edition for z/OS, Version 11 (5655-DGJ)
- IBM 64-bit SDK for z/OS, Java Technology Edition, V8 (5655-DGH)
- IBM 31-bit SDK for z/OS, Java Technology Edition, V8 (5655-DGG)
To use Semeru 21, ensure that the JAVA_HOME environment variable for your system references the correct location. By default, the SDK resides in the following directory on your system: /usr/lpp/java/J21.0_64. If you installed the SDK in another location, be sure to update the JAVA_HOME location for the z/OS functions that use Java. See the z/OS product publications for the functions used, and the location for specifying the JAVA_HOME environment variable.
z/OS provides support for Java in the form of program temporary fixes (PTFs). To identify the PTFs for Semeru 21, use the following SMP/E fix category (FIXCAT):
- IBM.TargetSystem-RequiredService.Semeru.*
If you are upgrading from IBM Semeru Certified Edition for z/OS, Version 17 to Version 21 for your own applications, follow the Semeru migration actions that are found in Migrating from earlier releases of IBM Semeru Certified Edition for z/OS.
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Modified date:
18 November 2025
UID
ibm17240923