[CentOS] Java versions in CentOS

Wed Feb 19 17:12:18 UTC 2014
Tom Cartwright <tom.cartwright at bbc.co.uk>

Hi All,

Following the latest security updates from Oracle, the version of OpenJDK package is currently listed as:

java-1.7.0-openjdk-1.7.0.51-2.4.4.1.el6_5.x86_64.rpm

The Redhat security advisory lists these packages: https://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHSA-2014-0026.html
but it makes no reference to the build number, which it turns out is important.

The build on the package in centos 6.5 is currently listed as b02:

[........]$ java -version
java version "1.7.0_51"
OpenJDK Runtime Environment (rhel-2.4.4.1.el6_5-x86_64 u51-b02)
OpenJDK 64-Bit Server VM (build 24.45-b08, mixed mode)

However changes were being made in at least b10: https://bugs.openjdk.java.net/browse/JDK-8028111

I guess this raises three questions:

1. How is the build of the JDK selected for a security update in RHEL/CentOS?
2. Could the b number be made more clear in the release information given its importance?
3. Is it possible to JDK package be updated to the latest build number, given the current one has missing backports?

Thanks,

Tom


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