Java JDK, SDK, SE?

Question

If you could answer these questions or help me out a little with clarity, it will be greatly appreciated:

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• Is Java 7 just Java SE 7? and Java 6 is Java SE 6?

Answer 1

Is Java 7 just Java SE 7? and Java 6 is Java SE 6?

Yes.

There are a couple of Java "editions", namely Java SE, the "Standard Edition", Java EE, the "Enterprise Edition" and Java ME, the "micro edition".

"Java N" where N is some number refers to the SE. There are separate edition numbers for Java EE which is up to version 6 now. Java ME has its own versions as well - it is currently at version 3. Java ME is intended for mobile and small devices.

Java EE is a set of libraries and interfaces, such as EJB, JMS, JNDI, Servlets/JSPs that are built on top of the Java SE.

Is Java SE 7 also Java JDK 7? and also what is the JDK?

JDK = Java Development Kit. When you download Java you can either get the JRE (Java Runtime Environment) which only lets you run already compiled Java applications or you can get the JDK which allows you to compile and run Java apps. Java SE 7 refers to both the JDK and the JRE.

Does this mean that the java JDK is the same as the java number (Java SE 7)?

Yes.

what is java 1.5 and 1.6? and how does that correspond to the java number (Java SE...)?

Sun's numbering for Java changed midstream and is a bit confusing. They went from 1.0 to 1.1 then 1.2. Then they decided to call 1.2 "Java 2" and that label lasted until Java 1.4. Then Java 5 was called both 1.5 and 5.0 and that has continued - Java 7 is also Java 1.7, Java 6 is also Java 1.6, etc.

Is Java's SDK the same as the JDK?

Yes.