Gen 8.6 history of Gen86JRE updates for Java runtime (JRE) versions

Products

• Gen
• Gen - Workstation Toolset

Issue/Introduction

This article covers the history of changes in Java Runtime Environment (JRE) versions supplied by the Gen 8.6 for Windows original GA installation and later PTFs which result in changes to the environment variable Gen86JRE. 

The Gen86JRE is used to run Gen programs Build Tool, Diagram Trace Utility (DTU) and Gen Studio.
NOTE: The Gen86JRE is not a JDK for use in the Build Tool to compile Gen generated Java applications.

This historical information can be useful when problems are encountered indicating that Gen86JRE is not set to the expected value after a specific patch/PTF install.
Any installation of a new JRE version is done via a post-processing step following the main PTF install and if Gen86JRE has not been updated correctly it could indicate a problem with that PTF install or at least the post-processing step(s). 

Environment

Gen 8.6 for Windows

Resolution

1. Gen 8.6 GA install:
   Gen86JRE=C:\Program Files (x86)\CA\SharedComponents\JRE\1.8.0_60\ 
   NOTE: This is an Oracle JRE
   
   
   
2. 8.6.2 Consolidation PTF WKS86200/SO09618:
   Gen86JRE=C:\Program Files (x86)\CA\SharedComponents\JRE\OpenJDK\jdk8u212-b04-jre\
   NOTE: OpenJDK JRE versions are provided from this time onwards.
   
   
   
3. 8.6.3 Consolidation PTF WKS86300/LU06327:
   No change to Gen86JRE.
   
   However 2 later 8.6.3 PTFs do update Gen86JRE as follows:
   BTN86301/LU06620:
   Gen86JRE=C:\Program Files (x86)\CA\SharedComponents\JRE\OpenJDK\jdk8u345-b01-jre\
   
   BTN86308/LU13621:
   Gen86JRE=C:\Program Files (x86)\CA\SharedComponents\JRE\OpenJDK\jdk8u412-b08-jre\
   
   
   
4. 8.6.4 Consolidation PTF WKS86400/LU16296:
   If it is not already installed, it will install the same jdk8u412-b08-jre as BTN86308. So after WKS86004 is installed the value should also be:
   Gen86JRE=C:\Program Files (x86)\CA\SharedComponents\JRE\OpenJDK\jdk8u412-b08-jre\
   
   Later 8.6.4 PTF BTN86401/LU17128 did update Gen86JRE but per the link has been withdrawn due to a packaging error and was replaced with BTN86404/LU18172 which updates Gen86JRE as follows:
   Gen86JRE=C:\Program Files (x86)\CA\SharedComponents\JRE\OpenJDK\jdk8u442-b06-jre\
   
   
   

NOTES:

• Each successive PTF that installs a new OpenJDK JRE version removes and backs up the previous OpenJDK JRE version which is then used as part of any PTF Uninstall/Backout step. However the original Oracle JRE directory C:\Program Files (x86)\CA\SharedComponents\JRE\1.8.0_60 is never removed/backed up.
  
  
• Thus after WKS86200 is installed, at any point in time there will 2 JRE versions listed under directory C:\Program Files (x86)\CA\SharedComponents\JRE i.e.
  1.8.0_60
  OpenJDK\jdk8unnn-bnn-jre
  The Gen86JRE environment variable should always be set to the latter.
  
  
• A complete Gen uninstall will not uninstall the OpenJDK\jdk8unnn-bnn-jre. It will uninstall 1.8.0_60 but it leaves that directory containing a single lib\fonts directory under it.

Additional Information

Gen™ 8.6 > Technical Requirements > General Comments
See section "Gen Tools that Require Java"