Java Development Kit
implementation of either one of the Java Platform, Standard Edition, Java Platform, Enterprise Edition, or Java Platform, Micro Edition platforms
🌐
Oracle
oracle.com › java › technologies › downloads
Download the Latest Java LTS Free
GraalVM for JDK 17 has moved and is now available through My Oracle Support (MOS). ... Java SE subscribers will receive JDK 17 updates until at least September 2029.
🌐
Oracle
java.com › en
Java | Oracle
Free Java Development Kit (JDK) downloads and resources from Oracle, the stewards of Java · Developer Downloads · Developer Resources · Enterprise Resources ·
🌐
Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org › wiki › Java_Development_Kit
Java Development Kit - Wikipedia
May 4, 2026 - This tool is an interpreter and can interpret the class files generated by the javac compiler. Now a single launcher is used for both development and deployment. The old deployment launcher, jre, no longer · comes with Sun JDK, and instead it has been replaced by this new java loader.
🌐
Oracle
jdk.java.net
JDK Builds from Oracle
Looking to learn more about Java? Visit dev.java for the latest Java developer news and resources. Looking for Oracle JDK builds and information about Oracle’s enterprise Java products and services?
🌐
Reddit
reddit.com › r/javahelp › java / java se / jdk / jre - which is which and what do i want?
r/javahelp on Reddit: Java / Java SE / JDK / JRE - which is which and what do I want?
July 4, 2021 -

Okay, context. I'm trying out some programming languages to perhaps get into (after previously primarily doing stuff with C#). One of these is Java. I had a 2019 version of Eclipse installed from last time I wanted to learn Java. Updated it to 2021, and it tells me I need Java 11 or higher.

So I google "download Java". Oracle offers me to download Java 8 Update 291, released April 2021. I check my instaleld version. Sure enough, I have Java 8 Update 291. If I am up to date, why is Eclipse complaining, I wonder? So I google Java 11. Huh, what's that, there are versions of Java up to 16? One article mentions that Java 8 has been deprecated for years. Odd, I think, didn't Oracle tell me just now that Java 8 was released in 2021? Oh, I see, they are talking about something called "Java SE". So I google what that is. "java vs java se", I google, but all I get are articles about how Java SE is different from something called Java EE. Never heard of it, I don't want it. In the meantime, I have also googled for JDK, since I assume that I need the Java SDK to get the compilers. Maybe the JDK has a different version number than the JRE, I theoretise. But then what is this Java SE? At one point, it says it's the standard edition, but on the next page, it says it's "for reference purposes only". Whatever that means. Can I use it to run and compile Java or not, I ask.

tldr: why is there a Java 16 if Oracle tells me 8 is the latest, which one do I want to run and program with the latest Eclipse?

P.S. necessary context is perhaps that I'm on 64-bit Windows 7 (my Eclipse install on my Linux laptop works fine)

Top answer
1 of 5
6
The JRE is the Java Runtime Environment, you need it to run java applications. The JDK is the Java Development Kit, you need it to compile your code, it also includes the JRE. About Java SE and EE, to my understanding, I may be wrong here, SE is Standard Edition, what you use for personal use. Java EE is the enterprise Edition, is used by business and you have to pay for it. About the versions. There is java up to 16, at the moment the most used Java versions are Java 8, Java 11 and Java 16 (the latest). Java 8 is used because Java 9 broke lots of Java 8 applications, only use it to run Java 8 applications not develop. Java 11 is the most used to make applications, if you don't use the latest version to make your applications probably you want to use this one. Java 16 is just the latest. These 3 java versions are the ones that are still receiving new builds ('updates'). When you search to download Java oracle will most likely give you the latest build of Java 8. I recommend you installing the JDK of Java 11 and 16 and if you want the JRE of Java 8. To download the JDK just search for "Java 11 jdk" and this page will show up.
2 of 5
1
Please ensure that: Your code is properly formatted as code block - see the sidebar (About on mobile) for instructions You include any and all error messages in full You ask clear questions You demonstrate effort in solving your question/problem - plain posting your assignments is forbidden (and such posts will be removed) as is asking for or giving solutions. Trying to solve problems on your own is a very important skill. Also, see Learn to help yourself in the sidebar If any of the above points is not met, your post can and will be removed without further warning. Code is to be formatted as code block (old reddit: empty line before the code, each code line indented by 4 spaces, new reddit: https://imgur.com/a/fgoFFis ) or linked via an external code hoster, like pastebin.com, github gist, github, bitbucket, gitlab, etc. Please, do not use triple backticks (```) as they will only render properly on new reddit, not on old reddit. Code blocks look like this: public class HelloWorld { public static void main(String[] args) { System.out.println("Hello World!"); } } You do not need to repost unless your post has been removed by a moderator. Just use the edit function of reddit to make sure your post complies with the above. If your post has remained in violation of these rules for a prolonged period of time (at least an hour), a moderator may remove it at their discretion. In this case, they will comment with an explanation on why it has been removed, and you will be required to resubmit the entire post following the proper procedures. To potential helpers Please, do not help if any of the above points are not met, rather report the post. We are trying to improve the quality of posts here. In helping people who can't be bothered to comply with the above points, you are doing the community a disservice. I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.
🌐
OpenJDK
openjdk.org
OpenJDK
JDK 8 Updates · JDK 9 · JDK (…, 26, 27, 28) JDK Updates · JMC · Jigsaw · Lanai · Leyden · Lilliput · Loom · Memory Model Update · Multi-Language VM · Nashorn · New I/O · OpenJFX · Panama · Port: AArch32 · Port: AArch64 · Port: BSD · Port: Haiku ·
Find elsewhere
🌐
Which JDK
whichjdk.com
Which Version of JDK Should I Use? | whichjdk.com
Use SDKMAN! ... Some distributions provide a JDK (Java Development Kit) and a JRE (Java Runtime Environment) build. A JDK includes everything to compile, package and run Java applications, while a JRE only includes the binaries and libraries to run Java applications.
🌐
Oracle
oracle.com › java › technologies
Java SE | Oracle Technology Network | Oracle
Java SE 8u491 is the latest release of Java SE 8 Platform. Oracle strongly recommends that all Java SE 8 users upgrade to this release. JDK for ARM releases are available on the same page as the downloads for other platforms
🌐
Oracle
jdk.java.net › 11
JDK 11 Releases
The JDK 11 Early Access Program has concluded. Please visit Java SE Downloads for production ready builds.
🌐
Ops
ops.java › releases
JDK Releases - Ops.java
April 21, 2026 - With the release of JDK 6 we went back to using JDK without the “2”. The Java version-string format has changed several times throughout the years.
🌐
OpenJDK
openjdk.org › projects › jdk
JDK
June 4, 2026 - The goal of this long-running Project is to produce a series of open-source reference implementations of the Java SE Platform, as specified by JSRs in the Java Community Process.
🌐
Oracle
jdk.java.net › 17
JDK 17 Releases
JDK 17 has been superseded. Please visit jdk.java.net for the current version.
🌐
Oracle
java.com › download › manual.jsp
Download Java
Developers are encouraged to download the latest Java Development Kit from OTN downloads.
🌐
Oracle
oracle.com › java
Oracle Java Technologies | Oracle
April 14, 2026 - Oracle’s stewardship continues to advance Java as the language of choice to address modern application development and the future of AI-powered business.
🌐
OpenJDK
openjdk.org › projects › jdk › 26
JDK 26
This release is the Reference Implementation of version 26 of the Java SE Platform, as specified by JSR 401 in the Java Community Process. The features and schedule of this release were proposed and tracked via the JEP Process, as amended by the JEP 2.0 proposal. The release was produced using the JDK Release Process (JEP 3).
🌐
End of Life Date
endoflife.date › oracle-jdk
Oracle JDK | endoflife.date
May 3, 2026 - Oracle Java SE Development Kit (JDK) is a commercial, closed-source, TCK-tested and certified build of OpenJDK.
🌐
Oracle
jdk.java.net › archive
Archived OpenJDK GA Releases
This page is an archive of previously released builds of the JDK licensed under the GNU General Public License, version 2, with Classpath Exception.
🌐
Reddit
reddit.com › r/java › which version of jdk should i use?
r/java on Reddit: Which Version of JDK Should I Use?
February 9, 2023 - We are working with Java 8. And probably we woldn't switch to 11 in this year. ... Switching from 8 to 11 doesn't really make any sense soon, especially after Q3/2023. What's the worst, extended support will only last until 2026, while JDK8 will be supported until 2030.
🌐
Oracle
java.com › en › download › help › version_manual.html
How to find Java version in Windows or Mac - Manual method
The Java Runtime (JRE) that you download from java.com or oracle.com contains a plugin to run Java content from your browser. In order to use the command line tools, you will need to download the Java Development Kit (JDK). The JRE and JDK are separate and can coexist on your system.