TechNote (Archived)

How to upgrade the JVM shipped with Flex

Issue

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There may be times when upgrading the JVM (Java Virtual Machine) to a version later than the version that shipped with the installation of Flex is desired. This TechNote describes how to upgrade the JVM.

Solution

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Please consult the Flex System Requirements for information on supported versions of the JVM.

In order to upgrade the JVM, you must download the JDK from the Sun Developer Network at http://java.sun.com/j2se/.

The jvm.config is where VM configuration settings are stored and is located in the following places, depending upon install choices made:

For the commandline tools:

Flex 1.5: flex_install_dir/bin/
Flex Builder 2.0, 2.0.1: flex_install_dir/Flex SDK 2/bin
Flex Data Services 2.0 and 2.0.1: flex_install_dir/flex_sdk_2/bin/

For the "integrated JRUN" server from an "integrated JRUN install":

Flex 1.5, Flex Data Services 2.0 and 2.0.1: flex_install_dir/jrun4/bin

The jvm.config recognizes an argument called "java.home". The "java.home" argument accepts a value of the path to your JRE (Java Runtime Environment). For example: java.home=C:/fds2.0.1/UninstallerData/jre, where C:/fds2.0.1 represents your "Flex install directory".

When you upgrade your JVM, this argument must reflect the path to your new JRE. For example: java.home=C:/j2sdk1.4.2_11/jre. (java.home=c:/j2sdk1.4.2_11 if you install the full SDK and not just the JRE.)

If no java.home is specified, a VM is located by looking in these locations, in the following order:

1. bin directory for java.dll (Windows) or lib/<ARCH>/libjava.so (Unix)
2. . ../jre
3. Registry (Windows only)
4. JAVA_HOME env var plus jre
   
   For example: $JAVA_HOME/jre

Additional Information

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After editing JRun's jvm.config file, you must restart the "integrated JRUN" server after the changes have been made in order for them to be applied.

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