Yes. The E-Business Suite requires Forms. Forms is started by a Java applet.
Java applets are launched by the Java Plug-in using a browser that supports plug-ins via the NPAPI protocol.
The Java plug-in runs in the browser memory space and manages the execution of the Forms applet and other EBS applets in one or more separate Java Virtual Machines (JVM). Java Plug-in also supports the communication between these JVMs and browsers.
Will E-Business Suite still require Java in the future?
Yes. It is expected that our ongoing use of Forms for high-volume professional users of the E-Business Suite means that EBS will continue to require Java. We replicate, simplify, or migrate selected Forms-based flows to OA Framework-based (i.e. web-based HTML) equivalents with every EBS update, but Forms is expected to continue to be part of the E-Business Suite technology stack for the foreseeable future.
Does the E-Business Suite have other Java applet dependencies?
Yes. In addition to Forms, various E-Business Suite products have functionality that runs as Java applets. These Java applets require browsers that offer plugin support. These products include applets:
- Oracle General Ledger (GL)
- Oracle Customers Online (IMC)
- Oracle Call Center Technology (CCT)
- Oracle Sourcing (PON)
- Oracle Install Base (CSI)
- Oracle Demand Planning (MSD)
- Oracle Advanced Supply Chain Planning (MSC)
- Workflow (WF)
- Scripting (IES)
What is going on with browsers' support for plug-ins?
Plug-in support is referred to in various ways, including:
- Browser Helper Objects (BHO) by Microsoft
- Netscape Plugin Application Programming Interface (NPAPI) plugins by Mozilla and Alphabet
- Internet plug-ins by Apple
Some browsers are phasing out plug-in support. Some browsers were never released with plug-in support.
Some organizations may wish to use browsers that do not offer plugin support, so we're working on a new approach that will work with all browsers.
What is the new approach?
It's not technically "new" (it is a mature Java technology), but we're using it for the first time with the E-Business Suite. This "new" approach launches EBS Forms-based screens and other functionality as Java Web Start (JWS) applications instead of as applets.
Will EBS use Java Web Start?
Yes, it is expected that Oracle E-Business Suite will be updated to use Java Web Start. It is expected that this will apply to EBS 12.1 and 12.2.
We have prototypes of EBS applets now launched as Java Web Start applications working today, so this project is already well-underway. We are polishing and refining issues around window handling, usability, and other areas right now. Our goal is to make the transition from the current JRE plug-in to Java Web Start as seamless as possible for all EBS end-users.
How does the technology architecture change?
Java Web Start changes the way that Java runs on end-users' computers but this technical change is expected to be invisible to end-users.
Java Web Start applications are launched from browsers using the Java Network Launching Protocol (JNLP).
Will the end-user's experience change?
No, we are working hard to ensure that your end-users' experience with Java Web Start applications will be as similar as possible to applets via JRE. The differences between applets invoked by JRE and Java Web Start are expected to be almost-invisible to end-users.
For example, today with applets via JRE:
- JRE runs when your end-users click on an EBS Navigator link to a screen that runs in Forms.
Tomorrow, with Java Web Start:
- Java Web Start runs when your end-users click on an EBS Navigator link to a screen that runs in Forms.
What happens with Java 9?
The Java team recently published their plans for removing the Java browser plugin in a future version of Java. The announcement states (key words highlighted for emphasis):
Oracle plans to deprecate the Java browser plugin in JDK 9. This technology will be removed from the Oracle JDK and JRE in a future Java SE release.
What does "deprecate" mean?
"Deprecate"
means that there will still be a Java Plug-in in JRE 9. The deprecation of the Java Plug-in should not be confused with Java Web Start or Java on the desktop itself. The latter two will be available for the foreseeable future. Users will
still be able to run Java-based applications using the Java Plug-in in JRE 9.
What does this mean for E-Business Suite users running JRE 9?
The release of Java 9 will not affect E-Business Suite users. JRE 9 will
continue to work with the E-Business Suite in browsers that support Java
(via the NPAPI protocol).
What browsers will support the JRE 9 plug-in?
Internet Explorer, Firefox ESR, and Safari will continue to support
NPAPI -- and, therefore, Java and Forms. We recommend that customers
who need to use Forms-based products in the E-Business Suite use those
browsers.
Alphabet (Google) Chrome and Microsoft Edge do not support NPAPI, so Java-based apps cannot run in those browsers.
What browsers will support Java Web Start?
It is expected that Java Web Start will work with all browsers, including those that do not work with plugins.
What are the timelines for browsers' plugin support?
Individual browser vendors have been updating their plans regularly. Here's a snapshot of what some browser vendors have stated as of today:
Microsoft Internet Explorer (IE)
Microsoft has indicated that they intend to continue to offer plug-in support in IE.
Microsoft Edge
Microsoft Edge was released in Windows 10 without Browser Helper Object (BHO, aka. plugin) support. Microsoft has no plans to add plugin support to Edge.
Mozilla Firefox Extended Support Release (ESR)
Mozilla indicated in early 2016 that Firefox ESR 52 will be the last version to offer NPAPI (and JRE) support. Firefox ESR 52 is targeted for release in April 2017 and will be supported until May 2018.
Mozilla Firefox Rapid Release
Mozilla intends to remove NPAPI support from the Firefox 53 Rapid Release version targeted for release in April 2017.
Apple Safari for Mac OS
Safari offers Internet plug-in support for Mac OS users. Apple has not made any statements about deprecating plugin support for Mac OS users.
Alphabet (Google) Chrome for Windows
Chrome offered support for plugins until version 45, released in September 2015. They removed NPAPI support in later Chrome releases.
Will I need to change browsers?
No. JRE will continue to work with browsers that include NPAPI plug-in support. If your organization already uses those browsers, it is expected that you will be able to continue using those browsers.
Will Oracle release its own browser for the E-Business Suite?
No. Long-time Oracle users may remember the Oracle PowerBrowser. The industry has since moved away from software that requires proprietary browsers. We have no plans to release a browser specifically for E-Business Suite users.
Will Java Web Start be mandatory?
Not for the time being. It is expected that the use of Java Web Start will be optional at least up to Java 9, which may be the last Java release to include the JRE browser plugin.
Will Java Web Start coexist with JRE?
Yes, it is expected that you be able to have some users launching Java Web Start applications, while others use applets via JRE, connecting to the same E-Business Suite environment. It is expected that you will have full server-side control over these choices.
What prerequisites will be needed for Java Web Start?
We plan to offer Java Web Start for EBS 12.1 and 12.2. It is expected that a small number of server-side patches for Forms and EBS will be needed.
All prerequisites are expected to be published here:
- Recommended Browsers for Oracle E-Business Suite Release 12 (Note 389422.1)
Will this affect EBS customizations?
Maybe. It depends upon which of the following apply to your environment:
- Scenario 1: You have modified standard EBS screens running in Forms: No actions needed. These
customizations are expected to work with Java Web Start without any
additional changes.
- Scenario 2: You have built custom Java applets of your own to extend the E-Business Suite: These will continue to run with JRE, but you may wish to update those applets to use Java Web Start.
- Scenario 3: You have third-party extensions or products that depend upon JRE: These will continue to run with JRE, but you may wish to contact your third-party vendor for details about their plans for Java Web Start.
When will Java Web Start be available?
Oracle's Revenue Recognition rules prohibit us from discussing certification and release dates, but you're welcome to monitor or subscribe to this blog. I'll post updates here as soon as soon as they're available.
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Disclaimer
The preceding is intended to outline our general product direction. It is intended for information purposes only, and may not be incorporated into any contract. It is not a commitment to deliver any material, code, or functionality, and should not be relied upon in making purchasing decision. The development, release, and timing of any features or functionality described for Oracle’s products remains at the sole discretion of Oracle.