Zulu JDK

[hunghung]

https://www.azul.com/downloads/zulu-community/

Azul provide ready to install debian packages of both JDK or JRE, the FX versions included support for JavaFX only available in tar.gz format, though. The default OpenJDK packages of MX doesn't properly support font smoothing and antialiasing for Swing based applications. Azul's versions were already patched, it helps Swing applications very much. Please check if you could include it in MX Package Installer or at least, patch your own Java to do the same thing. Thanks.

[Stevo]

Do you know where these patches are available to the public?

[hunghung]

Do you know where these patches are available to the public?

I don't know. FreeBSD also patched their Java by default

[hunghung]

I don't know why but Zulu JDK suddenly lost their Java font smoothing after this new 1.8.0_232 version. Now it's no difference between the default openjdk and zulu jdk. This means the font is very ugly and sucks. I've no solution other than switching to GhostBSD where java font is still smooth. It's also agreed with my migrating plan to GhostBSD.

[timkb4cq]

I notice that although jdk & jre FX versions are listed in the pulldown menu in the Azul Download page, they are not actually available to download for any OS/Java version. Only the standard jdk & jre versions which they also offer in an apt-get repository.

[hunghung]

I notice that although jdk & jre FX versions are listed in the pulldown menu in the Azul Download page, they are not actually available to download for any OS/Java version. Only the standard jdk & jre versions which they also offer in an apt-get repository.

I also noticed the same thing. They no longer offer the FX versions for download, even before that these versions only available as .tar.gz archives but not deb or rpm packages. The only thing keep me using their java is font smoothing. Now it's faded away so I've no reason to continue to use it.

[baldyeti]

Hello, I am currently using build 1.8.0_181-b02 from Azul. I'd like to refresh my version but have questions for you:

@OP: how does one check whether font smoothing is included ? With build 181, eclipse and oracle sqldeveloper look perfectly readable to me. Which is the last Zulu JDK known to include it ?

@timkb4cq : if you tick the "Older Zulu versions" on the download form, JDK with FX becomes available for build 222 (so not the latest 232 indeed). I have only tried tar.gz, not deb.

[hunghung]

Hello, I am currently using build 1.8.0_181-b02 from Azul. I'd like to refresh my version but have questions for you:

@OP: how does one check whether font smoothing is included ? With build 181, eclipse and oracle sqldeveloper look perfectly readable to me. Which is the last Zulu JDK known to include it ?

@timkb4cq : if you tick the "Older Zulu versions" on the download form, JDK with FX becomes available for build 222 (so not the latest 232 indeed). I have only tried tar.gz, not deb.

Just download a swing based app, check if the font is smooth or not. I usually use pixelitor because it's small and I'll use it anyway

The last Zulu 8 version with properly font smoothing is 222.

It's not Azul's fault. OpenJDK 8 build 232 completely broken font smoothing. When I posted this thread I've not tested on GhostBSD, now I can confirm it's broken everywhere

[baldyeti]

Thanks hunghung, hopefully this is a temporary glitch, not some restriction Oracle introduced to features OpenbJDK can bundle.

PS: I installed build 232 from AdoptOpenJDK and fonts look alright to me (on MX18/stretch)

PS2: MX-forum again awfully slow I am sorry to report

[timkb4cq]

Java FXPorts reported that installing libfreetype6-dev fixes the font smoothing. Have you tried that?