sun-java6-jdk vs. openjdk-6-jdk

**sefs** · May 2nd, 2009

Is the openjdk now the way forward. I currently have sun-java6-jdk. I just wanted clarification that the openjdk is now the offical install from here on out for the java programming language.

Thanks.

**jespdj** · May 2nd, 2009

The best version of Java to use at the moment is Sun Java 6.

OpenJDK is Sun's project to make their Java implementation fully open source. The next version of Sun Java (Sun Java 7, expected no sooner than March 2010) is going to be based on OpenJDK.

The version of OpenJDK that's in the Ubuntu repository is a Sun Java 6-compatible version of OpenJDK; it's basically the same as Sun Java 6, but with some proprietary parts (that Sun didn't write themselves) replaced by open source software (parts of the font rendering, graphics and sound stuff).

For the most part, OpenJDK works well with most Java applications, but unfortunately it is not 100% compatible with Sun Java 6, which causes problems with some Java programs, especially some online banking Java applets.

For Java software development, it really doesn't matter if you take the Sun JDK or the OpenJDK JDK, because the APIs are exactly the same. Just the implementation is different.

**drubin** · May 2nd, 2009

Originally Posted by jespdj

For Java software development, it really doesn't matter if you take the Sun JDK or the OpenJDK JDK, because the APIs are exactly the same. Just the implementation is different.

Generally that is ok even more so with cli applications. For Gui I would recommend not using the openjdk thee have been quite a few threads on this forum about users having issues with openjdk and swing. (mostly with alignment and look).

But generally if you code for openjdk and run your app on only openjdk it should be ok.

**sefs** · May 2nd, 2009

Thanks, I just tested it and realise that a swing app I have here displays a bit differently in truth, not as neat as the sun distribution.

**eye208** · May 2nd, 2009

Originally Posted by sefs

Thanks, I just tested it and realise that a swing app I have here displays a bit differently in truth, not as neat as the sun distribution.

Make sure to install the Lucida TrueType font. This has been the default font in Swing applications until OpenJDK. It is missing in the OpenJDK package but available separately.

**krazyd** · May 2nd, 2009

Some apps don't work at all with openjdk. Eg. BlueJ.

**jespdj** · May 2nd, 2009

Originally Posted by eye208

Make sure to install the Lucida TrueType font.

There's a package named sun-java6-fonts which will install fonts for Sun Java 6.

**eye208** · May 2nd, 2009

Originally Posted by jespdj

There's a package named sun-java6-fonts which will install fonts for Sun Java 6.

Yes, but if you install that, sun-java6-jre will be installed, too. That doesn't make much sense if you want to use OpenJDK anyway.

**motapa** · November 8th, 2010

Thanks a lot guys, you have answered all the question I had on choosing a java platform. I am a student of java and was really worried which path to choose, especially since i am running ubuntu, and its default java environment is open jdk. But your comments cleared everything out for me.

For learning purposes, i think the default jdk will fit just fine for me.