SAS^® 9.4 Support for Java

Java Runtime Environment

SAS provides a version of the required Java Runtime Environment (JRE) along with SAS 9.4 Foundation software (known as the “SAS Private JRE”). SAS partners with Azul to deliver and test Java updates that contain security fixes and improvements for an existing Java version. SAS makes these updates available from the SAS Downloads Site for SAS 9.4 releases under Standard Support on a regular basis.

SAS recommends that you update your SAS Private JRE when update packages are made available by SAS. SAS also recommends that you check for update availability every quarter.

Updates to the SAS Private JRE are performed separately from the application of regular security updates and hot fixes. For more information, see Preparing the SAS Software Depot with Security Updates and Hot Fixes.

About the SAS Private JRE

• Starting with SAS 9.4M9, generally available in the second quarter of 2025, the SAS Private JRE is based on Java 21 technology for all SAS software that is written in Java.
• For all the supported operating systems except for IBM z/OS, Java 21 is installed along with SAS Foundation 9.4M9.
• For IBM z/OS, you must obtain and install the Java 21 SDK directly from IBM.
• In SAS 9.4M8, the SAS Private JRE is based on Java 11 technology for Windows, UNIX, and Linux systems, and on Java 8 for z/OS and z/64.
• In SAS 9.4M7 and SAS9.4M6, the SAS private JRE is based on Java 8.
• SAS 9.4 versions that precede SAS9.4M6 use a SAS Private JRE that is based on Java 7, for which commercial support from the vendor ended in July 2022.
  
  Note: You can verify SAS releases and their support status on the following page: Support Levels for SAS 9.4 & Earlier Releases by Release Number.

Updates for Java

To update your SAS Private JRE with the latest Java security fixes, you can download an installation package from the following locations:

• For SAS 9.4M9: Updates for Java 21
• For SAS 9.4M8: Updates for Java 11
• For SAS 9.4M7 and SAS 9.4M6: Updates for Java 8
• For SAS 9.4M5 and earlier: Updates for Java 7

Java Software Development Kit (JDK)

For z/OS, you will need to obtain and install the Java 21 SDK directly from IBM.

If your system is running SAS 9.4M8 or earlier, review KB0041603 for recommendations about the supported Java releases.