How do I upgrade to jlink (JDK 9+) from Java Web Start (JDK 8) for an auto-updating application?

Question

Java 8 and prior versions have Java Web Start, which auto-updates the application when we change it. Oracle has recommended that users migrate to jlink, as that is the new Orac

Answer 1

In May 2019 commented to watch the OpenWebStart project.

Now (October 2019) it is time to give OpenWebStart serious consideration. While not yet feature complete, a alpha beta release of OpenWebStart is now available for download under a "GPL with Classpath exception" license.

The OpenWebStart Technical Details page states:

OpenWebStart is based on Iced-Tea-Web and the JNLP-specification defined in JSR-56. It will implement the most commonly used features of Java Web Start and it will be able to handle any typical JWS-based application. We plan to support all future versions of Java, starting with Java 11. In addition to Java 11, the first release of OpenWebStart will also support Java 8.

The page goes on to state that OpenWebStart will support interactive installers with auto-update, and non-interactive installers. Some JNLP features will be supported, and it will include a replacement for the Java Control Panel. A more comprehensive list of planned features¹ and their implementation status is provided in the feature table.

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^{1 - If you have a requirement that is not on their feature list (e.g. jlink support), you could contact the OpenWebStart team, and offer a suitable incentive (e.g. money to pay developers) to implement the feature for you. They also offer commercial versions of the software for paying customers.}

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^{Disclaimer: I have no connection with the OpenWebStart project, the company (Karakun) or the project sponsors. This is not a recommendation.}