Java Distributions

Overview

lighty-java supports four major Java distributions, each with different characteristics and use cases.

Temurin (Eclipse Adoptium)

Characteristics

• Provider: Eclipse Adoptium (formerly AdoptOpenJDK)

• Type: OpenJDK builds

• License: GPLv2 + Classpath Exception

• Support: All Java versions (8, 11, 17, 21+)

• Platforms: Windows (x64, ARM64), Linux (x64, ARM64), macOS (x64, ARM64)

API

• Base URL: https://api.adoptium.net/v3/assets/

• Query Parameters:

  • feature_version: Java major version (8, 11, 17, 21)

  • image_type: JRE or JDK

  • os: Operating system

  • architecture: CPU architecture

  • heap_size: Normal heap

  • vendor: eclipse

Download Sizes

Version	Windows x64	Linux x64	macOS ARM64
Java 8	~45 MB	~43 MB	N/A
Java 11	~100 MB	~98 MB	~95 MB
Java 17	~110 MB	~108 MB	~105 MB
Java 21	~120 MB	~118 MB	~115 MB

Usage

use lighty_java::{JavaDistribution, jre_downloader};

let distribution = JavaDistribution::Temurin;
let java_path = jre_downloader::jre_download(
    runtime_dir,
    &distribution,
    &21,
    |_, _| {}
).await?;

When to Use

• General-purpose Minecraft launchers

• Maximum compatibility across all Minecraft versions

• Need for long-term support (LTS) versions

• Widest platform support

GraalVM

Characteristics

• Provider: Oracle

• Type: High-performance JDK with advanced JIT compiler

• License: GPLv2 + Classpath Exception (Community Edition)

• Support: Java 17, 21+ only

• Platforms: Windows (x64), Linux (x64, ARM64), macOS (x64, ARM64)

Download Source

• Source: GitHub Releases

• Repository: graalvm/graalvm-ce-builds

• Format: Direct download URLs from release assets

• Naming: graalvm-jdk-{version}_{os}_{arch}.{ext}

Download Sizes

Version	Windows x64	Linux x64	macOS ARM64
Java 17	~180 MB	~175 MB	~170 MB
Java 21	~190 MB	~185 MB	~180 MB

Performance

• JIT Compiler: Advanced Graal compiler with better optimization

• Startup Time: Faster than standard OpenJDK

• Peak Performance: 10-20% better than standard JDK

• Memory Usage: Lower with G1GC

Usage

use lighty_java::{JavaDistribution, jre_downloader};

let distribution = JavaDistribution::GraalVM;
let java_path = jre_downloader::jre_download(
    runtime_dir,
    &distribution,
    &21,
    |_, _| {}
).await?;

When to Use

• Modern Minecraft versions (1.17+)

• Performance-critical applications

• Users with faster internet (larger downloads)

• Development and testing environments

Limitations

• No Java 8 or 11 support

• Larger download size

• Windows ARM64 not supported

Zulu (Azul Systems)

Characteristics

• Provider: Azul Systems

• Type: TCK-certified OpenJDK builds

• License: GPLv2 + Classpath Exception

• Support: All Java versions (8, 11, 17, 21+)

• Platforms: Windows (x64, ARM64), Linux (x64, ARM64), macOS (x64, ARM64)

API

• Base URL: https://api.azul.com/metadata/v1/zulu/packages/

• Query Parameters:

  • java_version: Major version

  • os: Operating system

  • arch: Architecture

  • bundle_type: JRE or JDK

  • javafx: false

  • release_status: GA (General Availability)

Download Sizes

Version	Windows x64	Linux x64	macOS ARM64
Java 8	~50 MB	~48 MB	N/A
Java 11	~105 MB	~103 MB	~100 MB
Java 17	~115 MB	~113 MB	~110 MB
Java 21	~125 MB	~123 MB	~120 MB

Enterprise Features

• TCK Certification: Fully certified OpenJDK builds

• Support Options: Commercial support available

• ARM Support: Excellent ARM64 optimization

• Security Updates: Regular backports of security fixes

Usage

use lighty_java::{JavaDistribution, jre_downloader};

let distribution = JavaDistribution::Zulu;
let java_path = jre_downloader::jre_download(
    runtime_dir,
    &distribution,
    &17,
    |_, _| {}
).await?;

When to Use

• Enterprise environments requiring certification

• ARM-based systems (Raspberry Pi, Apple Silicon)

• Need for commercial support

• Regulatory compliance requirements

Liberica (BellSoft)

Characteristics

• Provider: BellSoft

• Type: Lightweight OpenJDK distribution

• License: GPLv2 + Classpath Exception

• Support: All Java versions (8, 11, 17, 21+)

• Platforms: Windows (x64, ARM64), Linux (x64, ARM64), macOS (x64, ARM64)

API

• Base URL: https://api.foojay.io/disco/v3.0/packages

• Query Parameters:

  • version: Java major version

  • distribution: liberica

  • operating_system: OS name

  • architecture: CPU architecture

  • archive_type: Archive format

  • package_type: JRE

Download Sizes

Version	Windows x64	Linux x64	macOS ARM64
Java 8	~40 MB	~38 MB	N/A
Java 11	~95 MB	~93 MB	~90 MB
Java 17	~105 MB	~103 MB	~100 MB
Java 21	~115 MB	~113 MB	~110 MB

Optimization Focus

• Size: Smallest download sizes

• Memory: Lower memory footprint

• Embedded: Optimized for embedded systems

• JavaFX: Optional JavaFX bundles available

Usage

use lighty_java::{JavaDistribution, jre_downloader};

let distribution = JavaDistribution::Liberica;
let java_path = jre_downloader::jre_download(
    runtime_dir,
    &distribution,
    &11,
    |_, _| {}
).await?;

When to Use

• Resource-constrained systems

• Older hardware with limited disk space

• Slow internet connections

• Embedded or IoT devices

Distribution Comparison

Feature	Temurin	GraalVM	Zulu	Liberica
Java 8 Support	✅	❌	✅	✅
Java 11 Support	✅	❌	✅	✅
Java 17 Support	✅	✅	✅	✅
Java 21 Support	✅	✅	✅	✅
Windows ARM64	✅	❌	✅	✅
Performance	Standard	High	Standard	Standard
Download Size	Medium	Large	Medium	Small
TCK Certified	✅	✅	✅	✅
Commercial Support	❌	✅	✅	✅

Version Detection

Automatically select appropriate Java version for Minecraft:

use lighty_java::runtime::get_jre_version;

// Minecraft 1.20.4 → Java 17
let version = get_jre_version("1.20.4");
assert_eq!(version, 17);

// Minecraft 1.16.5 → Java 8
let version = get_jre_version("1.16.5");
assert_eq!(version, 8);

// Minecraft 1.18.2 → Java 17
let version = get_jre_version("1.18.2");
assert_eq!(version, 17);

Version Requirements

Minecraft Version	Required Java	Recommended Distribution
< 1.12	Java 8	Temurin (smallest)
1.12 - 1.16.5	Java 8	Temurin or Liberica
1.17 - 1.17.1	Java 16	Temurin or GraalVM
1.18+	Java 17	GraalVM (performance) or Temurin (compatibility)

Platform Support Matrix

Windows

Distribution	x64	ARM64	Notes
Temurin	✅	✅	Full support
GraalVM	✅	❌	x64 only
Zulu	✅	✅	Excellent ARM support
Liberica	✅	✅	Full support

Linux

Distribution	x64	ARM64	Notes
Temurin	✅	✅	Full support
GraalVM	✅	✅	Full support
Zulu	✅	✅	Best ARM optimization
Liberica	✅	✅	Full support

macOS

Distribution	Intel (x64)	Apple Silicon (ARM64)	Notes
Temurin	✅	✅	Full support
GraalVM	✅	✅	Native ARM builds
Zulu	✅	✅	Optimized for M1/M2
Liberica	✅	✅	Full support

See Also

• Overview - Architecture and design

• Installation - Download and installation process

• Examples - Usage examples