Java SE 6 for Catalina

Java 6 has not been supported by anyone for years and years and years. The current version of Java is Java 12 which should give you an idea of how incredibly ancient Java 6 is. (Java versions back to Java 8 currently still get updates.)

Whilst Java 6 was written by Oracle for Mac it was being distributed by Apple but Apple had been warning for years and years and years that it was obsolete and that really, absolutely, definitely, no more excuses that it would not be supported in Catalina.

Despite this a number of developers have been incredibly lazy and/or stupid and failed to update their software. Arguably this could also be applied to some users who have also failed to move on. Even in the case where the original developer is no more it is the users responsibility to recognise this and move on. With warnings that Java 6 was obsolete having been issued for years there is no excuse. Home users can do what they want, by definition home users are not running a business on such obsolete software whereas business users have a duty to ensure they do not expose themselves to such problems or run the risk of potentially going bust when the inevitable happens. Remember this is not something that literally happened just this month there has been years of warnings.

There is zero chance Apple will provide a version of Java 6 for Catalina.

Therefore your options are as follows -

1. Try using a newer version of Java i.e. Java 8 or later, whilst some developers [cough Adobe etc., cough] have been stupid enough to hard code their software to only work with Java 6 in theory Java software can work with other versions
2. Contact the developer and see if they have a solution, e.g. a newer version of their app
3. Switch to a different program from a different developer who is actually maintaining their program and either does not need Java or at least supports a current version of Java
4. Downgrade to an older version of macOS which can still run Java 6 and never ever be able to upgrade (new Macs like the MacBook Pro 16" can only run Catalina so this may not be possible or not for long)
5. Run the decrepit app that requires Java 6 in a virtual machine with an older version of macOS

@chantal147

If your company requires you to use their own in-house plugin then they also count as idiots for failing to update it. Your IT boss should be sacked for failing to manage this. You don't even have the excuse of being able to blame an external party. (If your IT boss had warned the head of your company and those warnings were being ignored then it is the head of the company who should be fired.)

I have the same issue. I have to use an older version of an app to support an in-house written plug-in. There is no chance this plug-in will be updated.