Oracle Forms

To be clear, "Support" for Java 8 is not ending in 2019.  What is planned to end in 2019 is public "automatic" updates.  After that time, only Oracle customers will have access to updates.

https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javaseproducts/overview/javasesubscriptionfaq-4891443.html

https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/eol-135779.html

If you are not a licensed user of the Oracle product you are using and do not have a current Support account then not only are you in violation of the terms of use, but will not have access to updates.

With regard to Java versions newer than 8, there are currently no plans to support any version new than 8 in FMW 12.2.1 products (including Forms).  For the next Forms version we are considering certifying the user-tier with Java 8 and 18.9, however it is possible that only Java 8 will be certified during the initial release.  Note that Java versions newer than 8 do not include the Deployment Stack and therefore do not include plugin or Web Start.  So in order to use Java versions newer than 8 in future Forms releases, you would need to use the Forms Standalone Launcher (FSAL), which is a new feature in Forms 12.2.1.

https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/developer-tools/forms/documentation/techlisting12c-2855390.html

As for upgrading, the method you use will depend on the level of customizations you do/did to your environment and your knowledge of how WLS (and Forms) works.  Generally speaking, I always recommend starting from scratch when possible and adding your customizations in only after you've confirmed the new environment is working correctly.  Importing content from a previous version often results in consuming extra content that is not needed/wanted, making future administration more difficult or at least more confusing.

Very good to know. I am very interested in this topic also.

Question is it "guaranteed" that java 8 can run applets all the way to the end of java 8?

(bearing in mind that the end of life of IE 11, needed to run the java plugin, would be oct 2025 or oct 2026 depending on version of windows 10.)

oh oh. looking bad for the idea of continuing to run applets:

https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/eol-135779.html

"As announced in 2015, Applets will continue to be supported in Java SE 8 until at

least March, 2019, pending continued support by browser vendors, after which

they may be removed at any time."

Well looks like I'm getting shoved into the standalone option like it or not.  I think legacy forms users like me who are accustomed to

the olde way of some html page that directed users to various menus (mmx based) would need direction on what bells and whistles are

possible with the standalone launching concept. Having read this: https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/developer-tools/forms/documentation/fsal-security-4438382.pdf

so what do people do? Have that form called be a forms menu? Or do people actually have a way to run something on the client that determines what form will be called?

Note to readers:

java 10 is 18.3

java 11 is 18.9

java 12 is 19.3

BTW ie 11 is supposed to be in support until Oct 2025 or Oct 2026 depending on the version of windows 10,

as that is when windows 10 goes out of support.

https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/lifecycle/search?alpha=windows%2010

Unfortunately, I personally cannot guarantee anything. For such a statement you'll need to reach higher in the family tree of Oracle . However, what I can say is that the plan is to continue supporting Java Web Start at least until sometime in 2025. Plugin (embedded applet) may be ended before that time.

As for Forms specifically, little of this matters give we have the Forms Standalone Launcher which can use Java without the Deployment Stack. We are actively working on ensuring that Forms will be able to support Java versions beyond v8, although I cannot comment whether or not we will certify with any particular version until we are prepared to release the next version. We are also working very hard on ensuring that FSAL includes the features that will be needed as browser support fully fades away.

Michael,

Thank you very much for your reply.  I'll start researching FSAL.  Also, I appreciate your advice on reducing the complexity of upgrading.  The last round of upgrades we went through (from iAS10g / Forms to FMW 11) proved very cumbersome and I don't want to repeat it.

Cheers!

If you're interested in learning about FSAL, check out the related papers here:

https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/developer-tools/forms/documentation/techlisting12c-2855390.html