What Is JDK, JRE, JVM and IDE
If you are just coming into the fold of Java programming, you will see these four abbreviations (JDK, JRE, JVM, and IDE) quite often and hear many people using them. Most of the Java technical jargon are based on these four. Look at how easy communicating with other Java programmers will be when you understand all the abbreviations. Aside from communication, you will sound professional among your peers. Continue to read and you will see the meaning and uses of all four.
Contents
Before you get into what JDK, JRE, JVM, and IDE do, you need to know what each abbreviation stands for.
JDK stands for Java Development Kit
JRE stands for Java Runtime Environment
JVM stands for Java Virtual Machine
And
IDE stands for Integrated Development Environment
READ How Java Works
Java Development Kit (JDK)
In simple terms, it is the platform that allows a programmer to write and run java code. As a programmer, you will want a simple platform where you can write and execute your java program instantly. And that is the work of a JDK.
Java Runtime Environment (JRE)
This is the platform that only runs a java program. Its own work is just to execute a program that a Java programmer or developer writes. For example, if you want to execute your Java program on a client’s computer, JRE is the platform you need to install on the client’s computer. And that is because you only need to run the java code for the client to see.
READ Simple Tricks To Learn Java Quickly
Java Virtual Machine (JVM)
In JRE (the platform that is meant to only run the java code) JVM is the one that takes the java code and reads one after the other and executes it. So, JVM is actually an interpreter in JRE that carries out the execution. To summarize the three abbreviations:
JDK is JRE plus the development tools needed to write a java program.
JRE is JVM plus library classes.
What Is A Java Variable?
Integrated Development Environment (IDE)
This is similar to the Java Development Environment because it is used to both write and execute a java program. The only difference between JDK and IDE is that the former is not so comfortable to use. While IDE, on the other hand, is much easier to use. Netbeans and Eclipse are the two popular types of IDE. It is advisable to use an IDE when you just start learning java programming. You will be able to write and run the program on the same platform.
