What is the replacement for javax.activation package in java 9?

Question

Seems like javax.activation package is deprecated in Java 9. Oracle migration guide proposes to use --add-modules java.activation option during JVM start.

However, I would like to avoid this and replace javax.activation package's classes, as it is deprecated and will be removed in future java versions. I suppose, there should be some kind of alternative for javax.activation. If there is any available, what is it?

Answer 1

JavaBeans Activation Framework (JAF) is possibly the alternative you are looking for to the existing package.

This standalone release of JAF uses a Java Platform Module System automatic module name of java.activation, to match the module name used in JDK 9. A future version will include full module metadata.

The standalone APIs are supported in modular form only, via the concept of upgradeable modules. Using them, it's possible to use a version of that module from a later release in any phase, i.e., at compile time, build time, or runtime.

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The currently available version for this is 1.2.0 which can be used like this:

Maven

<dependency>
    <groupId>com.sun.activation</groupId>
    <artifactId>javax.activation</artifactId>
    <version>1.2.0</version>
</dependency>

Gradle

compile 'com.sun.activation:javax.activation:1.2.0'

Ivy

<dependency org="com.sun.activation" name="javax.activation" rev="1.2.0" />