We recently provided guidance that we highly recommend all our Oracle E-Business Suite customers to migrate their Oracle E-Business Suite client tiers to use Java Web Start (JWS) without delay.
It's essential to note that as of March 2019, Java Web Start using JRE 8 is the only certified version of Java for the Oracle E-Business Suite client tier that also comes under Premier or Extended Support for Java SE.
This raises the question of what support we will provide for Java Plug-In for customers as they transition to Java Web Start. The answer is in two parts:
- Through to at least September 2020, Oracle plans to continue shipping the components required to launch Java applets on Internet Explorer 11 using Java Plug-in.
- Oracle E-Business Suite Support will continue to accept service requests against issues found when using the Java Plug-in with EBS until September 2020.
Please note that above support schedule is contingent on Microsoft continuing to support the APIs required by the Java Plug-in with Internet Explorer until the dates specified.
References
- FAQ: Essentials of Java Usage in Oracle E-Business Suite (MOS Note 2510500.1)
- Using Java Web Start with Oracle E-Business Suite (MOS Note 2188898.1)
Thank you for your question. From a technical point of view, Java Web Start configuration options for Oracle E-Business Suite do not affect Discoverer's use of Java Plug-in, even if invoked from EBS custom menu functions as described. Discoverer does not support Java Web Start. The Discoverer Plus applet will always continue to use the Java Plug-in. Hence Discoverer power users who still use Discoverer Plus must keep using a browser version that supports the Java Plug-in, such as Internet Explorer 11.
As I am sure you are already aware, Discoverer extended support ended in June 2017. Here is a link to a prior blog article on the implications of this:
https://blogs.oracle.com/ebstech/ebs-support-implications-for-discoverer-11gr1-in-june-2017
Thank you for your question. I just finished providing a detailed, two part response dated August 4, 2020 to a similar question in the comments section of the following blog article:
https://blogs.oracle.com/ebstech/jre-180_261-certified-with-ebs-releases-122-and-121
I hope that answers your question and further clarifies the distinction between Java Plugin being in Sustaining Support since April 2019 vs Java Web Start being in Premier or Extended Support until at least 2030.
It also highlights the implications of a subtle detail in the blog article you reference above, that is easy to miss:
Oracle has no plans to remove the components required to launch Applets in Internet Explorer 11 from Java SE 8
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but may do so with little or no warning.
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I hope my comments in the other blog article I reference above provide the clarification you are seeking. Please let us know if you have any further questions.
regards,
Tahir