You can't just use "any" jvm version with CF: it depends on first on what version of CF you are using, and then may even depend on what CF update has been applied to that CF version. (You also can't use Java from any vendor: Adobe supports only use of Java, and the license it for our use, I discuss later.) And to be clear, currently ONLY CF2025 supports Java 21.

So in this post, I offer a table that clarifies things, listing the various recent CF versions (even those no longer supported) and what (LTS) Java versions they supported, including if some CF update of a version changes the Java version supported.

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First, for more on the many features and changes, I share many Adobe resources--about which I also offer some additional comment. I also discuss changes regarding OS and DB support as well as the fact that CF2025 now runs on Java 21-- and that the traditional server deployment of CF comes installed atop Tomcat 10.1. I then share still more info on other matters and resources related to the new version.

I then focus on the major change in licensing, for CF2025 and forward, to being subscription only--which I'll note has no effect on those currently running CF2023 or earlier. I share pricing info and also help in assessing differences in the EULA, and more.

Finally I discuss some migration considerations--including important REMOVAL of some older features from CF2025, as CF continues to be made more secure and modernized. I also identify tools and resources to help aid you in that migration, when you're ready to begin attempting it.

For all that and more, read on.

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TLDR: The new updates are 1.8.0_441 (aka 8u441), 11.0.26, 17.0.14, 21.0.6, and 23.0.2, respectively. Crazy that there are now 5 current Java releases, I realize. More below, including more on each of them including what changed as well as bug fixes and the security fixes each version contains (including their CVE scores regarding urgency of concerns), which are offered in Oracle resources I list below.

Oracle calls these updates "critical patch updates" (yep, "CPU"), but they are in fact scheduled quarterly updates, so that the "critical" aspect of this nomenclature may sometimes be a bit overstated. As is generally the case with these Java updates, most of them have the same changes and fixes across the four JVM versions, though not always.

For some folks, that's all they need to hear. For others, read on.

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TLDR; Now through Feb 28, 2025 those running CF9, 10, 11, 2016 or 2018 can upgrade to CF2023 for 25% off its full price. (Those running CF2021 can already/always could upgrade at 50% off the full price.)

This is a deal offered only by Intergral, makers of FusionReactor, who are also resellers of CF. Adobe doesn't even offer this deal themselves. For more, see their blog post at https://fusion-reactor.com/blog/news/save-25-on-adobe-cf2023-upgrades/.

Act now, it could save you hundreds or even thousands of $$s on a single license! For more, read on.

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What about more recent releases, if you may wonder? CF 2023 (the current latest release) will get updates into 2028 (5 years after it was release). And there's the coming CF 2025 release, currently in pre-release (as I have recently blogged about), which is of course a great sign for the continued vitality of CF.

But this looming deadline for CF2021 is a reminder that as the years roll on, we not only get new versions but we must say good-bye to old ones.

Wondering what you can do? or when CF2023 or CF2025 support will end also? And what's the difference between "core" support and the available "extended" support which Adobe sells? (The extended support plan does NOT provide updates beyond this coming November.) For more on these, including official Adobe documentation that discusses such things, as well as my thoughts on migration, costs, various options to consider, and more, do read on.

• The various core support end dates for CF releases
• What can you do at this point?
• "But I can buy 'extended support' and still get updates into 2026, right?" That answer is NO
• "Do I really need to worry about no longer getting CF updates for CF2021 once 'support' stops?"
• Downloading CF2023, in case you may want to try it
• The bottom line

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Adobe announced the opening of the beta a few weeks ago in a post on the CF Portal as well as in various social media. And you can request to join the prerelease program at Adobe prerelease site section for CFNext.

We're currently in the "beta 1" phase, but Adobe has announced that there is a "beta 2" due out early this month.

No news has been shared to indicate when the final version would be released. And while Adobe doesn't ever share info about pricing or editions before the release, but note that they did announce at CF Summit in Vegas (in Oct) that CF2025 would be sold only via subscription model (more below).

They've also shared (publicly) the details of what features will be deprecated or removed in CF2025 (and it's a list with some fairly significant changes). Again, for more see the resource list below.

Other resources about CF2025 shared by Adobe so far

• Youtube playlist of public Adobe CF2025 webinars
• Adobe CF2025 webinars available only to prerelease participants
• Adobe's blog post: Important notice: Upcoming deprecations and removals in ColdFusion (2025 release) (see also the comments, including many of my own)

About the change to a subscription licensing model for CF2025

Again, Adobe announced at CF Summit in Vegas (in Oct) that CF2025 would be sold via a subscription model. Sadly, I have not found anywhere online that clarifies that any further. (I welcome clarifications.)

But I can share that the Intergral folks (who make FusionReactor and are CF resellers) folks did have a blog post where they discussed this: Secure Your ColdFusion Perpetual License Before Adobe's Subscription-Only Switch. Granted, that's in the context of a discount deal they offered for those on CF2018 and earlier (something I blogged about in July), and that offer has expired.

Still, considering the blog post title and its content: it's the only public resource I could find online that discussed that the CF2025 licensing would be subscription-only. As they are CF resellers--indeed, able to offer that special deal as they did--it seems the most authoritative resource currently available.

I hope to share more news about CF2025 over time (based on information made public by Adobe before the final release). I may add more Adobe resources here, or I may create posts, depending on the information.

In this post, I share the details about the update (from Adobe and from others, including pointing to some discussions I've already started online about the update). Note also that while you may read that the update is related to the CF PMT feature, beware presuming it therefore "doesn't apply to you" because you "don't use it". See the next section for more.

Of course, this is terrible timing for an update, but it is what it is. I can report I have installed both updates on multiple machines and operating systems without incident. And I may do a follow-up post on the update as I/we all learn more.

For more details, read on.

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Also, if you may be skipping to this update from prior to CF2023 update 7 or earlier, or CF2021 update 13 or earlier, please don't apply the update before reading below my discussion about possible breaking changes introduced in those updates from March and June of this year.

For more details, read on.

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TLDR: The new updates are 1.8.0_431 (aka 8u431), 11.0.25, 17.0.13, 21.0.5, and 23.0.1 respectively. Crazy that there are now 5 current Java releases, I realize. More below, including more on each of them including what changed as well as bug fixes and the security fixes each version contains (including their CVE scores regarding urgency of concerns), which are offered in Oracle resources I list below.

Oracle calls these updates "critical patch updates" (yep, "CPU"), but they are in fact scheduled quarterly updates, so that the "critical" aspect of this nomenclature may sometimes be a bit overstated. As is generally the case with these Java updates, most of them have the same changes and fixes across the four JVM versions, though not always.

For some folks, that's all they need to hear. For others, read on.

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Also, if you may be skipping to this update from prior to CF2023 update 7 or earlier, or CF2021 update 13 or earlier, please don't apply the update before reading below my discussion about possible breaking changes in those updates from March and June of this year.

And there's still more to consider. Note that if somehow "it's all too much" for you, I can help directly and likely VERY quickly. See my discussion at the bottom here. Otherwise, for the details, read on.

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