JEP 541: Deprecate the macOS/x64 Port for Removal
Summary
Deprecate the macOS/x64 port, with the intent to remove it in a future release, in order to reduce maintenance costs.
Motivation
Apple has transitioned its hardware products to the AArch64 processor architecture and is phasing out support for x64. Oracle engineers will thus stop maintaining the macOS/x64 port as of JDK 27. Maintaining the port is a significant burden.
Description
An attempt to configure a macOS/x64 build will produce:
The new build-configuration option --enable-deprecated-ports will suppress the error and continue:
There will be no guarantee that the port will build, much less function.
In order not to block mainline development, macOS/x64 will be disabled by default in the JDK repository’s GitHub actions.
Additionally, the macOS/x64 port, and related port-specific features, will be noted as being deprecated for removal in the relevant JDK documentation.
Alternatives
As with earlier port deprecations, an alternative is for a set of credible developers to express a clear desire to maintain the port going forward. If that happens before this JEP is integrated then this JEP can be withdrawn. If that happens after this JEP is integrated, but before the port is removed, then a follow-on JEP can revert the deprecation.
Compatibility & Specification Review
