Questions about updates to the software

[ZakarFin]

The validator hasn't been touched in a while (looks like 3 years ago since the last change). Currently the software is compiled for Java 11 https://github.com/etf-validator/etf-webapp/blob/2.1.0/build.gradle#L38-L39 and packaged to be run on the jetty:10.0.18-jre11-alpine-eclipse-temurin base image with the container provided on https://github.com/INSPIRE-MIF/helpdesk-validator releases.

Since most Java 11 providers no longer offer updates without some kind of paid service:

• Any idea if the validator can be run on a more recent version of Java? Maybe updating the validator base image would be enough for Java update?
• The version of the libraries used are quite old (related to the Java version) like Spring 4: https://github.com/etf-validator/etf-webapp/blob/2.1.0/etf-webapp/build.gradle#L12
• Newer Java web servers require the Jakarta-namespace to be used instead of javax.servlet etc. So there would need to be some changes with library updates
• What is the relation of this webapp repository and the binaries used in the https://github.com/INSPIRE-MIF/helpdesk-validator releases?
• Are you accepting pull requests if we would like to help with some updates?

[ZakarFin]

Also interested in this: #227. Is the parallel processing limit something that is a non-technical limitation and we could just go crazy with some upper limit as long as the server doesn't crash? Or is there a technical reason for the limit? Currently it seems the validator just dies/seemingly misbehaves in one way or another with multiple parallel validation requests. We have been thinking of building some kind of queue in front of the webapp for the validation requests, but I would be interested hearing more about this limitation.

[jonherrmann]

The INSPIRE Validator is based on version 2.0 and this version is maintained by JRC / JRC contractors. As I can't answer your questions for version 2.0, please contact them directly int he helpdesk repo - also to discuss how PRs can be merged into the legacy branch.

ETF 2.1 should work with jre-17 based images. We welcome pull requests for version 2.1, but please note that if you plan to use this version for the INSPIRE Validator, you will need to check compatibility with INSPIRE tests and test drivers in addition to the dependency updates.

[ZakarFin]

Ok, thanks for the info and for the fast response :) Any idea what causes the parallel processing issue? If not, I think this issue can be closed.