Is Your Java Ready for the Cloud, or Are You Stuck in the Past?

Lets Talk About Javas Cloud Potential

TL; DR: Is your Java stuck in the past, or is it ready for a cloud makeover? We spoke with a spokesperson from BellSoft, an OpenJDK vendor that supports Java in cloud environments, about modernizing applications with its Liberica JDK product. This means it may be time to say goodbye to high infrastructure costs and say hello to cloud-native solutions that save you both time and money.

Fellow ‘90s kids, do you remember that “Fairly OddParents” episode where Timmy wishes himself into the World Wide Web?

After sending an email to his crush, Timmy asks his fairy godparents to send him to the internet to retrieve it before it’s read. And bam — he’s zapped inside a cyberworld that feels like an interactive museum for the year 3000. Emails zip by, avatars chat in real time, and downloads generate before his very eyes.

I was beyond fascinated by the visuals in this episode and how it brought the internet to life. Though I was young, the episode helped spark my lifelong obsession with computers — and unknowingly, it was my first glimpse into cloud computing.

Fast forward some 20-odd years, and the cloud is everywhere, giving us a seamless way to interact with technology. In fact, almost everything, including programming environments, is moving to the cloud.

BellSoft homepage
BellSoft simplifies Java-to-cloud deployment and also enhances performance and security in cloud environments.

One of the world’s most popular programming languages (PLs), Java, is known for its “write once, run anywhere” flexibility. But while nearly 30% of developers still use it, the language wasn’t built for the fast-paced world of cloud computing.

Plus, migrating systems, infrastructure, and applications can be a pain in the neck — especially for large organizations that prioritize security. Luckily, that’s where BellSoft’s expertise in Java and cloud solutions steps in.

The Case for Cloud-Optimized Java

Flash back to the mid-1990s when Java entered the market. This programming language was originally developed specifically for traditional, on-premises monolithic applications where everything is stored right on-site.

Back then, that setup was the norm. But in today’s fast-paced digital landscape, where agility is key, how does that stack up? Well, it doesn’t. That’s why companies are now exploring how to move their Java workloads to the cloud.

Look at it this way: Running Java on traditional systems in the cloud is like driving a steam engine on a high-speed rail.

“Cloud technology has expanded software development horizons and is still the focus of IT,” said a BellSoft spokesperson. “However, priorities have shifted from just moving to the cloud to cloud cost optimization. Running Java-based software in the cloud can be expensive and inefficient when it’s designed like a traditional server-based application.”

Java cloud statistic
Not too shabby, right? (Statistic: The NewStack)

It’s not just about saving money; developers are embracing tools that simplify cloud-native development. BellSoft’s tools make building, deploying, and managing Java applications in the cloud easier.

Why? Partly because it’s open-source.

If you know Java, you know this is no surprise: Java, at its core, is an open-source platform, which means anyone can use, modify, and distribute Java-based code.

Open-source is a big deal in the tech space; many people believe it symbolizes freedom and collaboration, and BellSoft wants to be one of the organizations supporting it going forward.

“In our business strategy, we aim to deliver the most complete Java experience. To fulfill all Java community and business requests, we continually collect feedback and gradually incorporate related enhancements into BellSoft’s products,” said the spokesperson.

More specifically, in the last three years, BellSoft has been focused on improving Java performance in the cloud.

“We deliver not only one of the best OpenJDK runtimes but an entire Java ecosystem that makes development easy, convenient, and efficient, especially in a cloud environment,” they added.

Liberica JDK vs. Oracle, Azul, Red Hat, Corretto, and Eclipse Temurin table
This is just a glimpse at how Liberica JDK differs from other JDKs, so download the entire comparison table for free here.

(You’re probably asking what OpenJDK is. JDK stands for Java Development Kit, a virtual environment for creating Java applications, with “open” indicating its open-source nature.)

“The open-source model fosters code improvement and is a dominant approach to development in the IT scene. With the majority of code now coming from open-source, continued support of such projects is essential,” said the spokesperson.

BellSoft is the only vendor providing support for Java 6 and 7. It also offers a special Liberica JDK Performance Edition for 11 and 8, which uses the faster Java Virtual Machine (JVM) from Liberica JDK 17.

In plain English, this means you’ll get improved performance with this version.

“This solution is designed for companies delaying Java migration to recent LTS versions and aims to help them use modern JDK 17 capacities while staying on the current 8 or 11 Java,” the spokesperson added.

Time to Migrate?

BellSoft has tons of products and services, but the one we’re going to dive into today is its Liberica JDK tool.

At its core, Liberica JDK is an upgraded version of the open-source OpenJDK. Not only is it fully compatible with standard Java, but it also adds cloud-friendly features, like better memory use and quicker startup times.

BellSoft has three “flavors” of Liberica JDK:

  • Liberica JDK Standard: This is the basic version you can use for server and desktop setups that don’t need any extra features
  • Liberica JDK Full: This version includes JavaFX for building rich user interfaces and has the Minimal VM for lighter applications
  • Liberica JDK Lite: Designed for cloud environments, this version is smaller and comes with various enhancements to optimize performance

All Liberica JDK versions are verified by the OpenJDK Community Technology Compatibility Kit (TCK) for the Java SE specification.

But if you’re looking to save on costs, the Liberica JDK Lite is the optimization solution you need.

Liberica JDK Lite is a compact and speedy version designed specifically for running Java applications in cloud and containerized environments. According to BellSoft, its popularity is skyrocketing, with downloads increasing 6.5 times from 2021 to 2024.

Before we keep going, let’s talk about containerization. It’s like putting an entire application — settings, configurations, and frameworks — into a “box” so it can easily run on different devices or in various computing environments, such as testing setups.

This kind of performance boost doesn’t just make applications faster; it makes them cheaper to run, too. Cloud platforms like Amazon Web Services (AWS), Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure charge based on usage, so the smaller and more efficient your application, the less you pay.

What goes into cloud costs? I’m glad you asked because it’s a lot:

  • Computing: Cloud costs can add up quickly, with fees based on processing power, storage, and data transfer
  • Storage: This covers storing your data in the cloud, whether it’s files or app data
  • Data Transfer: Moving data in and out of the cloud or between regions can come with extra fees
  • Network: You’ll pay for things like bandwidth and load balancing to keep everything running smoothly
  • Licensing: If you use special software through the cloud, there may be extra charges
  • Management and Monitoring: These are the tools that help you keep an eye on your cloud setup
  • Security and Compliance: Extra fees for keeping your data safe and meeting regulations
  • Support: Charges for customer service or premium tech support
  • Migration: One-time fees for moving your data and apps to the cloud
  • Training and Development: The cost of training your team and building cloud-ready apps

“Liberica JDK continues to be a stable choice for leading independent software vendors (ISVs), such as JetBrains and VMware, and is a recommended runtime by Spring,” the spokesperson added.

What’s Next?

Earlier, we touched on open-source software (OSS). While OSS comes with plenty of perks, one challenge BellSoft addresses is security. Supporting open-source projects is how devs keep code secure and up to date.

Support ensures the security of the code and timely updates. It is highly recommended that you only use code from reputable vendors who guarantee support for their products,” said the spokesperson.

While security is a major focus for open-source projects, it’s just one part of the equation.

Java has long been a go-to language for enterprise development. And as business needs shift, so does the ecosystem around it. But it looks like BellSoft is all about keeping pace with these changes.

“Our customers get not just the best OpenJDK runtime but a whole suite of tools,” the spokesperson shared. That includes GraalVM-based Liberica NIK and the Alpaquita Linux distribution (which is tailored for Java applications).

Alpaquita Linux product feature screenshot
Alpaquita Linux is a great Linux distribution based on Alpine Linux that IT teams can use to optimize Java in cloud environments.

This is just one way BellSoft is helping devs streamline their cloud-native apps. And, looking ahead, there’s more to be excited about.

“Java remains one of the top programming languages for enterprise development. Over time, business demands and requirements change, consequently leading to innovations in the Java ecosystem,” the spokesperson explained. “We continue to expand the number of instruments for sustainable, efficient Java development for the cloud and the server side.”

This means support across various platforms — like Windows, Linux, macOS, and Solaris — and a diverse range of architectures, including x86, ARM, PowerPC, and SPARC.

Plus, the spokesperson hinted: “You may expect more news from us on better and faster Alpaquita containers and buildpacks soon. Stay tuned.”

Alpaquita Linux, another product by BellSoft, is designed to containerize Java applications for seamless cloud deployment on Linux servers or OS. And with buildpacks, devs may be able to automate the process of containerizing applications.

When containerization takes an average of a few hours to several days, that seems like a win to me.

Till then, go ahead and check out what BellSoft has in store. After all, who wouldn’t want to optimize their applications and cut costs? Your Java will thank you.