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. Answer from Nemo_64 on reddit.com
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Reddit
reddit.com โ€บ r/javahelp โ€บ 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
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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.
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OpenJDK
openjdk.org โ€บ projects โ€บ jdk โ€บ 11
JDK 11
181: Nest-Based Access Control 309: Dynamic Class-File Constants 315: Improve Aarch64 Intrinsics 318: Epsilon: A No-Op Garbage Collector 320: Remove the Java EE and CORBA Modules 321: HTTP Client (Standard) 323: Local-Variable Syntax for Lambda Parameters 324: Key Agreement with Curve25519 and Curve448 327: Unicode 10 328: Flight Recorder 329: ChaCha20 and Poly1305 Cryptographic Algorithms 330: Launch Single-File Source-Code Programs 331: Low-Overhead Heap Profiling 332: Transport Layer Security (TLS) 1.3 333: ZGC: A Scalable Low-Latency Garbage Collector (Experimental) 335: Deprecate the Nashorn JavaScript Engine 336: Deprecate the Pack200 Tools and API
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Oracle
oracle.com โ€บ java โ€บ technologies โ€บ javase โ€บ jdk11-archive-downloads.html
Java Archive Downloads - Java SE 11
Only developers and enterprise administrators should download these releases. For current Java releases, please visit Oracle Java SE Downloads. This software is licensed under the Oracle Technology Network License Agreement for Oracle Java SE ยท JDK 11.0.28 checksums and OL 9 GPG Keys for RPMs.
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Azul Systems
azul.com โ€บ home โ€บ azul downloads
Java 8, 11, 17, 21, 25 Download for Linux, Windows and macOS
September 23, 2025 - Click here to download the Azul Zulu Builds of OpenJDK for Java 8, 11, 17, 21, 25 for Linux, Windows and macOS. Also download Azul Platform Prime.
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Reddit
reddit.com โ€บ r/java โ€บ openjdk 11 download? i only find oracle jdk!
r/java on Reddit: OpenJDK 11 download? I only find Oracle JDK!
June 26, 2018 -

Sorry, I'm confused ...

I've just tried to find the latest version of the OpenJDK 11. This page https://jdk.java.net/11/ links to the Oracle download page https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html

Am I missing something? I was under the impression OpenJDK 11 was a LTS release? I don't want to use the Oracle JDK.

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Oracle
jdk.java.net โ€บ 11
JDK 11 Releases
The JDK 11 Early Access Program has concluded. Please visit Java SE Downloads for production ready builds.
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ManageEngine
manageengine.com โ€บ products โ€บ desktop-central โ€บ patch-management โ€บ Java-SE-Development-Kit-11-(64-bit)-patches.html
Java SE Development Kit 11 (64-bit) Updates | ManageEngine Desktop Central
Java SE Development Kit 11 (64-bit) Patches ยท Back to list ยท Disclaimer: This webpage is intended to provide you information about patch announcement for certain specific software products. The information is provided "As Is" without warranty of any kind. The links provided point to pages on the vendors websites.
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Oracle
oracle.com โ€บ java โ€บ technologies โ€บ downloads
Download the Latest Java LTS Free
This license permits certain uses, such as personal use and development use, at no cost -- but other uses authorized under prior Oracle JDK licenses may no longer be available. Please review the terms carefully before downloading and using this product. FAQs are available here. Commercial license and support are available for a low cost with Java SE Universal Subscription. JDK 17.0.17 checksums and OL 9 GPG Keys for RPMs ... Java SE subscribers will receive JDK 11 updates until at least January 2032.
Find elsewhere
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CodeJava
codejava.net โ€บ java-se โ€บ download-and-install-java-11-openjdk-and-oracle-jdk
Download and Install Java 11 (OpenJDK and Oracle JDK)
Oracle JDK 11 is the first LTS (Long Term Support) Java Development Kit since Oracle changed Java release cadence to every 6 months. According to Oracle, JDK 11 will be supported (commercial support) until September 2026.Head to Java SE Development Kit 11 Downloads page and choose the download ...
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Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org โ€บ wiki โ€บ Java_version_history
Java version history - Wikipedia
1 week ago - Regarding Oracle's Java SE support ... as of September 2025, while versions 21, 17, 11 and 8 are the other still supported (long-term support โˆ’ LTS) versions, where Oracle Customers will receive Oracle Premier Support. Oracle continues to release no-cost public Java 8 updates for development ...
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Oracle
java.com โ€บ en
Java | Oracle
Oracle Java is the #1 programming language and development platform. It reduces costs, shortens development timeframes, drives innovation, and improves application services.
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TechSpot
techspot.com โ€บ downloads โ€บ 5553-java-jdk.html
Java SE JDK 11.0.29 Download Free | TechSpot
3 weeks ago - The Java Development Kit (JDK) is the full-featured software development kit for Java developers. It has everything the JRE has, but adds the compiler (javac) and tools (like javadoc and jdb).
Rating: 4.3 โ€‹ - โ€‹ 450 votes
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GitHub
gist.github.com โ€บ wavezhang โ€บ ba8425f24a968ec9b2a8619d7c2d86a6
download java from oracle without login ยท GitHub
I guess that trick no longer works -_- Latest JDKs - Adobe ColdFusion: https://cfdownload.adobe.com/pub/adobe/coldfusion/java/java8/java8u391/jdk/jdk-8u391-windows-x64.exe https://cfdownload.adobe.com/pub/adobe/coldfusion/java/java11/java11021/jdk-11.0.21_windows-x64_bin.exe
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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 Oracleโ€™s enterprise Java products and services?
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Oracle
java.com โ€บ releases
JDK Releases
(1) Programmatic access to the maintenance specification version was originally added to JDK 19 and backported to JDK 8 with JSR 337 MR 4, JDK 11 with JSR 384 MR 2 and JDK 17 with JSR 392 MR 1. (2) The JCP requires that each Maintenance Release includes an RI, although that RI should not be used in production. Instead, the update release of the JDK which corresponds to ('implements') the MR should be used in production. For example, JDK 8u381 should be used instead of JDK 8u43 ยท The JCP was created in December 1998. Prior to Java SE 8, all significant new features were developed by independent JSRs under the JCP then incorporated by reference in the Platform JSR.
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Adoptium
adoptium.net โ€บ temurin โ€บ releases
Latest Releases | Adoptium
All VersionsJDK 25 - LTSJDK 21 - LTSJDK 17 - LTSJDK 11 - LTSJDK 8 - LTS ยท No releases match your current filter criteria. Try adjusting your selections or reset all filters to see available releases.
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Java Code Geeks
examples.javacodegeeks.com โ€บ home โ€บ java development โ€บ core java
Download and Install Java Development Kit (JDK) 11 - Java Code Geeks
May 3, 2021 - To download the Java JDK 11 from the Oracle site visit the Java SE Development Kit 11 Downloads page. Scroll down to find the Windows x64 Installer and click on the executable (.exe) file.
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Oracle
java.com โ€บ en โ€บ download โ€บ manual.jsp
Download Java
The Oracle Technology Network License Agreement for Oracle Java SE is substantially different from prior Oracle Java licenses. This license permits certain uses, such as personal use and development use, at no cost -- but other uses authorized under prior Oracle Java licenses may no longer be available.
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Reddit
reddit.com โ€บ r/javahelp โ€บ use of java 11
r/javahelp on Reddit: Use of Java 11
November 20, 2024 -

Hello javahelp subreddit

I'd like to learn programming with Java 11 since the books I have cover up to that version. When downloading Java 11 JDK from Oracle, there is the following text:

""Java SE Development Kit 11.0.25

Java SE subscribers will recieve JDK 11 updates until at least January 2032

These downloads can be used for development, personal use, or to run Oracle licensed products. Use for other purposes, including production or commercial use, requires a Java SE Universal Subscription or another oracle license.

Commercial license and support are availble for low cost with the Java SE Universal Subscription.

JDK 11 software is licensed under the Oracle Technology Network License Agreement for Oracle Java SE.""

So do I have to become a Java SE subscriber to use Java 11? If so, is there a cost to that? Is "Java SE Subscriber" and "Java ES Universal Subscription" the same thing?

I would assume that I can download and use it for free and that the text is really saying "you can download and use Java JDK 11 all for free normally, however if you want to receive updates beyond whatever the finalized version is, you have to subscribe and pay extra for that". Is this the correct interpretation?

I would appreciate anyone with relevant knowledge to help me understand the details of this. Please forgive my ignorance.