Amazon Corretto is a free, multiplatform, production-ready distribution of the Open Java Development Kit (OpenJDK) developed and maintained by Amazon Web Services (AWS). It aims to provide customers with a highly stable, secure, and cost-effective alternative for running Java applications in the cloud and on premises. Released in November 2018, Amazon Corretto is designed to be compatible with Java SE (Standard Edition) and offers long-term support with regular updates and security patches. In this response, we will explore the key aspects of Amazon Corretto, highlighting ten important things you need to know about this Java distribution.
1. OpenJDK-Based Distribution:
Amazon Corretto is based on the Open Java Development Kit (OpenJDK), which is an open-source implementation of the Java SE platform. OpenJDK is the reference implementation of Java, allowing Amazon Corretto to provide compatibility and interoperability with Java applications.
2. Multiplatform Support:
Amazon Corretto is available for multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, and various Linux distributions. This multiplatform support enables developers to run their Java applications consistently across different operating systems.
3. Long-Term Support:
One of the significant advantages of Amazon Corretto is its long-term support (LTS) commitment. Amazon provides free, quarterly updates and security patches for Amazon Corretto for a specified period. This ensures that users can rely on a stable and secure Java distribution, even for their long-term projects.
4. Enhanced Performance:
Amazon Corretto is designed to deliver high-performance Java applications. It includes optimizations, bug fixes, and performance enhancements that aim to improve the overall execution speed and resource utilization. These performance optimizations make it well-suited for running Java applications in various scenarios, including cloud-based deployments.
5. Security and Reliability:
Security is a top priority for Amazon Corretto. AWS actively monitors and addresses security vulnerabilities, providing timely security patches to protect against potential threats. By using Amazon Corretto, developers can benefit from a secure and reliable Java runtime environment for their applications.
6. Backward Compatibility:
Amazon Corretto ensures backward compatibility with Java SE. It supports the latest Java SE versions and adheres to the Java SE specifications, allowing developers to leverage the latest language features, APIs, and libraries while maintaining compatibility with existing Java applications.
7. AWS Integration:
As an AWS offering, Amazon Corretto integrates seamlessly with other AWS services and tools. This integration simplifies the development, deployment, and management of Java applications in the AWS ecosystem. Developers can leverage various AWS services, such as Amazon EC2, Amazon ECS, AWS Lambda, and AWS CloudFormation, alongside Amazon Corretto.
8. Docker Support:
Amazon Corretto provides official Docker images, enabling developers to containerize their Java applications easily. Docker allows for consistent deployment and scalability, making it easier to manage Java applications running on Amazon Corretto within containerized environments.
9. Community Engagement:
Amazon Corretto has an active and growing community of developers and contributors. The community provides support, shares knowledge, and contributes to the improvement of Amazon Corretto. This community engagement fosters collaboration and helps address user queries and issues effectively.
10. Cost-Effective:
Amazon Corretto is free to use, including for commercial purposes. This cost-effective licensing model makes it an attractive choice for organizations looking to minimize their Java-related expenses. Users can leverage the benefits of a high-quality, enterprise-ready Java distribution without incurring additional costs.
Amazon Corretto is a production-ready distribution of the Open Java Development Kit (OpenJDK) that offers a range of benefits for Java developers. Its open-source nature, long-term support, multiplatform compatibility, performance optimizations, security features, and AWS integration make it a compelling choice for running Java applications. Amazon Corretto’s foundation on OpenJDK ensures compatibility and interoperability with Java applications, allowing developers to leverage existing code and libraries seamlessly. With its availability across multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, and Linux distributions, developers can deploy their Java applications consistently across various operating systems.
One of the standout features of Amazon Corretto is its long-term support commitment. AWS provides regular updates and security patches on a quarterly basis, ensuring that users have access to a stable and secure Java distribution. This LTS approach is particularly beneficial for long-term projects, as it guarantees ongoing support and maintenance.
Performance optimization is another area where Amazon Corretto excels. It incorporates various optimizations, bug fixes, and enhancements to improve the execution speed and resource utilization of Java applications. These performance improvements make it well-suited for demanding use cases, such as running Java applications in cloud-based environments where efficiency is crucial.
Security and reliability are paramount in any production environment, and Amazon Corretto addresses these concerns effectively. AWS actively monitors and addresses security vulnerabilities, providing timely security patches to safeguard against potential threats. By using Amazon Corretto, developers can have confidence in the security and reliability of their Java runtime environment.
Maintaining backward compatibility is essential for Java applications, and Amazon Corretto ensures compatibility with Java SE. It supports the latest Java SE versions and adheres to the Java SE specifications, allowing developers to leverage the latest language features, APIs, and libraries while maintaining compatibility with existing Java applications. This compatibility makes it easier to migrate or upgrade Java applications without major code modifications.
As an AWS offering, Amazon Corretto seamlessly integrates with other AWS services and tools. This integration simplifies the development, deployment, and management of Java applications within the AWS ecosystem. Developers can leverage a wide range of AWS services, such as Amazon EC2, Amazon ECS, AWS Lambda, and AWS CloudFormation, alongside Amazon Corretto, to build scalable and robust Java applications.
Additionally, Amazon Corretto provides official Docker images, allowing developers to containerize their Java applications effortlessly. Docker provides a standardized and consistent deployment environment, making it easier to manage Java applications running on Amazon Corretto within containerized environments. This integration with Docker enhances the scalability and portability of Java applications.
The Amazon Corretto community is a valuable resource for developers. It boasts an active and growing community of developers and contributors who provide support, share knowledge, and contribute to the continuous improvement of the platform. This vibrant community engagement fosters collaboration and helps address user queries and issues effectively.
From a cost perspective, Amazon Corretto stands out as a cost-effective option. It is available for free, including for commercial purposes. This cost-effective licensing model makes it an attractive choice for organizations looking to minimize their Java-related expenses. Users can leverage the benefits of a high-quality, enterprise-ready Java distribution without incurring additional costs.
In conclusion, Amazon Corretto is a robust and reliable distribution of the Open Java Development Kit (OpenJDK) that offers numerous advantages for Java developers. Its open-source nature, long-term support, multiplatform compatibility, performance optimizations, security features, AWS integration, Docker support, vibrant community, and cost-effectiveness make it a compelling choice for running Java applications in various environments. Whether developing applications in the cloud or on premises, Amazon Corretto provides a solid foundation for building and deploying Java-based solutions.
