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How viable is OpenJDK JRE as an alternative for the average user? i.e. if I install it instead of the Oracle JRE next time I'm reformatting, is the Java software I use likely to stop working or develop bugs? I don't understand why Oracle would be driving people away from their platform like this.

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Try it, as it depends on the applications you use. Some members of the jetbrains family didn't run on OpenJDK for a long time. The ones I use do now.

That said, if your platform lacks an installer and -more importantly- an updater, OpenJDK is not a good alternative. There's no reason to assume it is any more secure than the Oracle package except for the lack of additional toolbars.

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