Oracle Releases Java SE 7 Update 6 – Boosting Its Support for Mac OS X in the Process
Oracle this week released the latest version of Java, including full support for Mac OS X. In addition to Java SE 7 Update 6, Oracle also released JavaFX 2.2 and JavaFX Scene Builder.
The release was expected in the development world, and Oracle has been pushing Java for years, but the lackluster support for the Mac platform made some question their dedication. However, with SE 7 Update 6, Oracle has given Java developers a new platform to aim for, Mac OS.
“With this release, Oracle is providing full availability of Java SE 7 Update 6 on Mac OS X, including the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) and the Java Development Kit (JDK),” the company said. While SE 7 Update 6 is the heart of the latest Java release, the Java experience is also getting a boost with JavaFX 2.2 and the visual layout tool JavaFX Scene Builder. Both offer support for Windows, Linux, OS X, and Solaris.
This release also sees the launch of a new initiative where users will be able to get automatic updates for their installations, which will be delivered to Windows users and OS X users at the same time.
This is important considering that Java is often a prime attack vector for enterprising criminals online. Due to the fact that Java has a history of having a high number of vulnerabilities, it’s a common recommendation for Java to be avoided outright unless it is essential that it be installed on an endpoint. More information from Oracle is available here.
Related: Endless Exploit Attempts Underline Importance of Timely Java Patching