I haven't heard from anyone other than Arjan about this, so I'm assuming
everyone else is happy with this. Thanks for your silence. :-)
Bill Shannon wrote on 5/22/15 1:20 PM:
> Over the years there's been some confusion about whether a Java EE
> product is required to include a database server. It's not. But
> it's a bit more subtle than that. I've explained it to people many
> times, but it's time to make it more clear in the spec.
>
> The following changes to the spec (for Java EE 8) attempt to clarify
> this issue (EE.2.10), as well as raise the bar on requirements related
> to this (EE.8.5). Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.
>
> Thanks.
>
>
> -----
>
> EE.2.10 Java EE Product Packaging
>
> [Insert before existing EE.2.10, renumbering following sections]
>
> This specification doesn't include requirements for the packaging
> of a Java EE product. A Java EE product might be provided on distribution
> media, for download on the web, or as a service available only on the
> web, for example. A Java EE product must include implementations of
> all the APIs required by this specification. These implementations
> might depend on other software or services not included in the Java EE
> product. The customer may be required to combine or configure the
> product with other software or services that are necessary to meet the
> requirements of this specification. The documentation for the Java EE
> product must fully describe all the required software and configuration.
>
> For example, a Java EE product might depend on a database server, a
> naming service, a mail service, and/or a messaging service. All
> configurations in which the product is defined to operate must include
> all the software and services necessary to meet the requirements of
> this specification.
>
> Whether these services are available (running, accessible on the
> network, properly configured, operating correctly, etc.) may be
> controlled independently of the Java EE product - they may be
> unavailable when the Java EE server is started, or they may fail while
> the Java EE server is running. This specification does not require the
> Java EE product to assure the availability of these services. However,
> if such a service is needed to meet the requirements of this
> specification, the Java EE product must ensure that the service has
> been configured for use and will be usable when it is available.
>
> For example, this specification requires that applications can use a
> database. If the Java EE product requires a database server to be
> separately installed, and requires the Java EE product to be configured
> to use that database, such configuration must be done before
> applications are deployed. This ensures that the operational
> environment of applications includes all the required services.
>
>
> EE.8.5 Deployment
>
> [Insert the following after the second paragraph]
>
> As described in Section EE.2.10, the Java EE product might depend on
> external services to meet the requirements of this specification.
> While the Java EE product is not required to assure the availability
> of these services, it is required to ensure that these services have
> been configured for use. Deployment of applications must fail if such
> required services have not been configured for use.
>