Java – How to get the latest update for Java 6

javaoracleupdate

An application my company is considering buying requires Java 6. I am concerned that this is quite out of date and am recommending against the application as a result. But it seems that Oracle do still release updates for v6.

They state that they offer updates "only for customers who have purchased Java support or have Oracle products that require Java 6". See http://www.java.com/en/download/faq/java_6.xml. But what support option are they referring to?

I have had a look through the website and the most relevant support option I can find is "Oracle Java SE Advanced" (https://shop.oracle.com/pls/ostore/f?p=dstore:product:0::NO:RP,6:P6_LPI:123775498017471532635010) but the minimum order for this costs £6,700.

Am I just getting lost? Is there some more obvious/less expensive way of getting access to the latest updates for version 6, such as this one?: http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/2col/6u71-bugfixes-2100823.html

Thanks

Best Answer

An application my company is considering buying requires Java 6.

You should push back against this decision. There is really no excuse for purchasing a new application that is tied to a depreciated product that no longer receives security updates. You're brand new application already comes with substantial technical debt instead of eliminating existing debt. Please do yourself and your organization a favor and lobby hard for another application or push the company for an update of the application that works with Java 7.

If you must use this application you can find Java 6 SE in the Java Archive. Be FOREWARNED, Oracle will not provide any updates for Java 6 unless you pay for extended support. If your organization goes forward with this purchase, make sure you include the cost of Oracle's extended support in the capital item for the application as it is a dependency that needs security patching and support along with the application it supports.

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