PTC's new policy on Java starting January 2019

[Invisigoth]

I'm trying to digest the customer communications with the aim of figuring out how to get around this with the fewest problems.  I deal mostly with Windchill, Pro/Intralink and Creo. So far, I'm thinking that staying with the products released before January 2019, however the Customer Letter seems to indicate that they are removing the JDK downloads....?

"The following products currently ship Java with the PTC product installer as well as ship updates to Java.
Starting January 2019, you will need to obtain and install Java as a prerequisite for installing or re-installing these PTC products. For these products you will need to secure a support contract directly with Oracle for updates to Java, including security patches.
-Arbortext Content Manager
-Pro/INTRALINK
-Creo Parametric, Creo Options Modeler, Creo Layout and Creo Direct
-FlexPLM
-Windchill based products and associated extensions"

I expect more technical info will be forthcoming.  "You will need to obtain and install Java as a prerequisite for installing or re-installing these PTC products" just seems too simple and dismissive. Beyond that, there is an additional vendor and additional expense to deal with now.  Will need to figure this into estimates for new work and upgrades for our customers. And who knows whatever other unpleasant surprises that huge changes bring.  Oh hooray.

[TomU]

I've been trying to wrap my head around this too.  From what I can tell so far, it seems like Oracle is saying if you want support and and security fixes you have to pay for a subscription.  If you are okay just using what is released every 6 months during the normal release schedule, don't need "commercial features", and don't need security fixes or support (in between releases), then the open source version is fine.

https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/overview/faqs-jsp-136696.html

https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html

The hiccup seems to be PTC who is stating they don't currently test their software against the open source version, they only test against the commercial, paid version.

https://www.ptc.com/en/support/article?n=CS294350

[TomU]

Technically the open source build provided by Oracle IS an "Oracle Java build".  Oracle still built it but the licensing is different and no support is provided.  Sure seems like it should work...

[Invisigoth]

Yes, I saw that too. There is already a post in the Windchill Ideas forum.  Let's crush it with yes votes :  )

Getting the software is one thing. My questions and concerns are along the lines of 'how do you install/replace the Java SDK previously provided by PTC?'.  Now, it is a CD you put in the staging area for installs and upgrades, and the Windchill installer just knows what to do.  They are now saying you need to install it first, like you would the MS SQL or Oracle DB.  Where? On drive C?  What if your Windchill install is drive E?

I just can't help having that Han Solo Bad Feeling about this.   PTC....can you assuage that in any way?

[TomU]

It sounds like it should be fairly straight forward.

https://www.ptc.com/en/support/article?n=CS23639

Also from the Windchill 11.1 Installation Guide (page 195)