I just noticed that this test: https://github.com/pantsbuild/pants/blob/a9e5464ba2db325b48174a2feaacaf571a6fbd17/tests/python/pants_test/engine/test_isolated_process.py#L278-L281 fails on my system, I assume because I don't have java installed

in general, the word "fails" doesn't provide much information. typically, if the command line and error output are provided, then others are able to gauge your analysis such as "i assume because i don't have java installed". without the error message i don't know what kind of failure you're referring to.