After writing and saving Java source code, the javac compiler is invoked to create. Java source files are simple text files saved with an extension of. Java developers are initially presented with two JDK tools, java and javac.

One way to think of it is that JRE is “just for executables” or limited to that scope, where the JDK is the development toolkit, as mentioned. However, to develop Java applications and applets as well as run them, the JDK is needed.

To run Java applications and applets, simply download the JRE. People new to Java may be confused about whether to use the JRE or the JDK. Techopedia Explains Java Development KitĪs a major programming language throughout the past few decades, Java has been integral to computer science, and the Java JDK is the essential vehicle for establishing a development environment. It includes the Java Runtime Environment (JRE), an interpreter/loader (java), a compiler (javac), an archiver (jar), a documentation generator (javadoc) and other tools needed in Java development.

Java jdk development kit