Summary

Deprecate the jdk.jsobject module for removal. This module will be included with JavaFX.

Problem

jdk.jsobject is a legacy JDK module that delivers a single package, netscape.javascript. It is not used by the JDK. It is only used by JavaFX WebView for Java <--> JavaScript interoperation. Prior to JDK 11, it was also used by the LiveConnect feature of Java Plug-In to allow applets to communicate with the hosting web page. JavaFX, which was unbundled from the JDK in 11, is the only remaining client of the jdk.jsobject APIs.

Solution

Deprecate the jdk.jsobject module, and all exported types in that module, for removal in a future release. Deliver a copy of the jdk.jsobject module as part of the JavaFX distribution -- see JDK-8338249. Further, make jdk.jsobject an upgradable module in the JDK.

Developers who use the JavaFX modular jars to compile and run their application can specify the --upgrade-module-path option when running java or javac to use the version of the jdk.jsobject module delivered with JavaFX and avoid the removal warnings. Applications that use the JavaFX modular jars and do not specify --upgrade-module-path will use the version of the jdk.jsobject from the JDK and see the removal warning at compile time. The application will otherwise continue to run normally.

Applications that use jlink with the module path pointing to the JavaFX jmods will pick up the version of the jdk.jsobject module delivered with JavaFX and avoid the removal warnings by default. If the JDK jmod files are put on the module path ahead of the JavaFX jmod files, jlink will pick up the one from the JDK; applications that use javac from that JDK will see the removal warning at compile time.

Specification

Deprecate for removal the jdk.jsobject module, and all public types in the netscape.javascript package by adding the following @deprecated javadoc tag and @Deprecated annotation:

+ * @deprecated The jdk.jsobject module will be delivered with JavaFX.
  */
+@Deprecated(since = "24", forRemoval = true)

Additionally, add the following documentation to the netscape.javascript package-info:

+ * <p>
+ * <b>Deprecated, for removal: This API element is subject to removal
+ * in a future version.</b><br>
+ * <em>The jdk.jsobject module will be delivered with JavaFX.</em>
+ * </p>

Also, make jdk.jsobject an upgradable module in the JDK.

See the attached file apidiff-8311530.zip file for the complete specification.