Java Runtime Environment 1.6.0.2 (updated)

Java software allows you to run applications called applets that are written in the Java programming language. These applets allow you to play online games, chat with people around the world, calculate your mortgage interest, and view images in 3D. Many cross platform applications also require this to run.

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.

This is the official Java Download from Sun Microsystems.

Version 6 Update 4 includes unspecified updates.

The Eclipse IDE requires that a JRE be installed on your machine to run. While it can run using a Java 1.4 JRE, a Java5 JRE is recommended. Eclipse IDE for Java EE Developers requires a Java5 JRE.

There are many different implementations of the Java Platform running atop a variety of operating systems. We focus Eclipse IDE testing on a handful of popular combinations of operating system and Java Platform; these are our reference platforms. Eclipse undoubtedly runs fine in many operating environments beyond the reference platforms we test, including those using Java6 VMs. However, since we do not systematically test them we cannot vouch for them.