Java version 8 update 66 has been released by Oracle. This is the latest version available for users who run Java on their PCs. Java is a programming language and computing platform. It is also a software package that runs on more than 850 million personal computers worldwide. There are lots of applications and websites that will not work properly unless you have Java installed.
New Features and Changes
The following are some of the notable new features and changes in this release:
Support ISO 4217 “Current funds codes” table (A.2)
This enhancement adds support for ISO 4217 table A.2 fund codes. Previously the JDK only supported those currencies listed in table A.1.
See JDK-8074350
.
Bug Fixes
This release contains fixes for security vulnerabilities. For more information, see Oracle Critical Patch Update Advisory. For a list of bug fixes included in this release, see JDK 8u66 Bug Fixes page.
The following are some of the notable bug fixes included in this release:
VM crash when class is redefined with Instrumentation.redefineClasses
The JVM could crash when a class was redefined with Instrumentation.redefineClasses(). The crash could either be a segmentation fault at SystemDictionary::resolve_or_null, or an internal error with the message “tag mismatch with resolution error table“. This has now been fixed .
See JDK-8076110.
_releaseObject called from wrong thread
A recent change to Firefox caused the _releaseObject call to be made from a thread other than the main thread. This may cause a race condition, which may inadvertently crash the browser. This has been addressed in build 18 of 8u66. For more information, see Bugs@Mozilla 1221448.
See JDK-8133523.
Java plug-in does not work in Firefox after installing Java
Firefox 42 and later versions may crash when trying to run the Java plug-in.
There are several workaround options. The simplest method is noted first and is recommended. The remaining available options are not recommended for non-technical users.
Option 1: Add property name dom.ipc.plugins.java.enabled in Firefox preferences
1. Launch Firefox
2. Type about:config in the address bar
3. You will be presented with a Firefox warning about the configuration settings. After acknowledging the Firefox alert, you should see a listing of the configuration preferences.
4. Right-click anywhere inside the displayed list of preferences. Select New then select Boolean.
5. Add property name as dom.ipc.plugins.java.enabled
6. Add Preference name as dom.ipc.plugins.java.enabled.
7. A window will be displayed, select false. Then select OK.
Option 2: Create “user.js” file with preference entry
Instructions are based on Mozilla references listed below.
1. Use a text editor to create a “user.js” file in your Firefox profiles folder
2. Add entry: user_pref("dom.ipc.plugins.java.enabled", false);
Option 3: Update “pref.js” file with preference entry
1. Locate the “pref.js” file in the Mozilla profiles folder
2. Find and update preference: user_pref("dom.ipc.plugins.java.enabled", false);
If you would like assistance managing and deploying Java for PCs, please contact H Tech Solutions using the URL below.
H Tech Solutions Blog by Harris Schneiderman is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at https://htechsolutions.biz/contact-us