Talk:Java Runtime Environment

Text at the top of the article says it needs to be merged with Java programming language, but didn't find any reasons for it on this talk page. Also didn't find any entry in the Duplicate articles page. Jay 15:34, 14 Oct 2004 (UTC)

Java Runtime Environment is DIFFERENT from Java platform
Although Java Runtime Environment is a part of Java platform, Java Runtime Environment should not be merged with Java platform. The reason is, Java platform is a general thing, but Java Runtime Environment is a SPECIFIC component, just as Java Development Kit. —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 158.182.1.38 (talk • contribs).

Java Runtime Environment is NOT "from Sun"
This article unfortunately not only is incorrect, but propagates the misconception that to run Java you need Sun Microsystems: ''<< "Java Runtime Environment, or JRE, is a software bundle from Sun Microsystems that allows a computer system to run a Java application." >> Sun in effect owns (*note1) the Java specification, but anyone(*note2) can write a Java Runtime implementation''. (Note1: ok, sure, there's the JCP, but in reality Sun owns the language.) (Note2: Ok, not anyone; the people writing the implementation have to promise not to break the spec (eg, like Microsoft tried to do) by licensing the spec from Sun -- but that's just the right to implement a virtual machine.) See List of Java virtual machines for a short(!) list. Also, of note, are "free" Java implementations (a free as-in-speech) Java implementations that are completely independent of any Sun source, eg, Apache Harmony. In short: no, the JRE is not a "bundle of software from Sun Microsystems". (Sorry if this sounds like a rant.) Michael (talk|contrib) 19:15, 1 February 2007 (UTC)


 * of course, the way sun restrict the spec, only runtimes based on Sun's implementation can get access to the test kit, which is their proof of compliance with the licensing requirements of Java. Without the tests you can't call yourself Java or avoid infringing various software patents. SteveLoughran 20:00, 10 October 2007 (UTC)

Version number confusion
On the sun.com download page, the current version is "Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment 6". The java.com test page wants me to update to "version 6 update 2". My installed version is quite recent (few weeks) but has version number 1.5.0_11. My hunch is that 6 === 1.6, is that right?--87.162.24.126 10:46, 24 July 2007 (UTC)
 * That would be my guess too, but Sun does not seem to outright acknowledge that 1.6 might be the same as 6, and which subversion of 6. FWIW I have just now downloaded what Sun calls the latest version on Vista Home Premium and the Java Control Panel reports version Standard Edition 6, version 1.6.0 (build 1.6.0_02-b06). When I use Netscape Navigator (version 9.0b3) to go to Sun's test page, the test page reports Version: 6 update 2. However, with Firefox 2.0.0.6 Sun's test page reports java.lang.NullPointerException, as others are finding. Maybe Sun or Firefox have not managed to get JRE 6 working with FF2+ under Vista yet? -84.223.117.102 22:51, 1 September 2007 (UTC)

Replying to myself: I tracked down a possible cause for Java raising the exception in FF2 by reading the long standing bugzilla 83376, (since 2001) It seems Sun's Java plugin (even the latest one) under FF2 with useragent (UA) spoofing (still needed for some websites) fails because, in Sun's own words from 2001: "Java Plug-in depends on user-agent string for version information, no fix will be made." Nice and final. This means FF's UA must be default (not spoofed) at startup. If FF's UA is spoofed then Java raises exception next time FF starts. Awkward but at least I now have a workaround fix. Hope this helps anyone finding the same problem. Pity Sun won't fix it their end though. 84.223.117.102 23:47, 1 September 2007 (UTC)

Removed the redirect
It was strange that the JRE term (the term is very commonly found) would redirect to Java virtual machine which is mostly used by people already knowing what Java is. Is seems better to have some explanation of what is the JRE, and provide the wiki-links there. Hervegirod (talk) 14:42, 2 November 2012 (UTC)