Java"SE platform at a Glance

Core Components

Basic
CORBA
HotSpot VM
Java Naming & Directory Interface (JNDI)
Tools APIs
XML

Java Virtual Machine

HotSpot VM

Database Components

Java Database Connectivity (JDBC) Technology

Security Components

Java Security Technology

Tools
Desktop Components

Accessibility
Java Plug-in
JavaBeans
Abstract Window Toolkit (AWT)
JavaHelp System
Java Web Start
Java 2D
Java 3D
JDesktop Integration
Java Advanced Imaging
Java Sound
Java Access Bridge
Java Media Framework
Java Bindings for OpenGL Source
Swing


Java SE Overview


There are two principal products in the Java SE platform family: Java SE Runtime Environment (JRE) and Java Development Kit (JDK).

Java Runtime Environment (JRE)
The Java Runtime Environment (JRE) provides the libraries, the Java Virtual Machine, and other components to run applets and applications written in the Java programming language. In addition, two key deployment technologies are part of the JRE: Java Plug-in, which enables applets to run in popular browsers; and Java Web Start, which deploys standalone applications over a network. It is also the foundation for the technologies in the Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition (J2EE) for enterprise software development and deployment. The JRE does not contain tools and utilities such as compilers or debuggers for developing applets and applications.

Java Development Kit (JDK)
The JDK is a superset of the JRE, and contains everything that is in the JRE, plus tools such as the compilers and debuggers necessary for developing applets and applications. The conceptual diagram above illustrates all the component technologies in Java SE platform and how they fit together.