JDK (Java Development Kit)

  • Contains: JRE + compiler + dev tools
  • Needed for writing, compiling and debugging code

JRE (Java Runtime Environment)

  • Contains: JVM + standard libraries
  • Can run java apps, but can’t compile them

JVM (Java Virtual Machine)

  • Runs .class files (bytecode)
  • Platform-dependent (diff JVMs for each OS)

Quick Analogy

JDK = JRE + Dev tools
JRE = JVM + Libraries

Tip

Writing Java code? β†’ You need JDK
Running Java apps? β†’ You need JRE
JVM does the actual work of executing your code.


Parent: _Core