Is Java now paid?

Question

Java

Greetings!
Oracle has made changes to the Java license and now it is paid as far as I understand? That is, when developing, for example, the backend of an online service in Java, you need to pay far from small amounts. How does it even work? And how will this affect the popularity of the language in the field of web development? I read it on the official website, but unfortunately, due to the curvature of the translator, I did not understand anything. There are topics on Habré, but I also don’t quite understand what’s what. I'm just starting to learn Java.
Also, I found on the Internet that Oracle is suing companies operating without a license, as a result, companies pay $ 30k +.
I used to think Java was a free programming language. Of course, I did not rule out that there are any ready-made solutions from Oracle that cost money.
The essence of the question: I do not quite understand why Java is now taking money? Is it possible now to start web development without buying a license? And will not this step sink Java? Thanks to all!

Answer 1

The Java language and the HotSpot virtual machine are open source. There is an absolutely free OpenJDK to which many other companies contribute, besides Oracle - from small ones like Excelsior JET to giants like IBM. The Oracle JDK is built from the Open JDK source code. They are completely identical. Oracle takes money for supporting its own assembly. Just like Red Hat has paid support for free Linux. If you don't need support, use one of the many free builds of OpenJDK and get on with it. If you are a MailRu Group class company providing high-load services to 330 million users, and your specialists find a bug in a virtual machine every week, it is better to use the paid Oracle JDK.