Oracle Java Standard Edition Runtime Environment (also known as JRE SE, Java SE or Java SE Runtime Environment) is a closed-source and freely distributed computer technology that offers an easy way to run Java programs on any Linux-based operating system.
Invented by Sun Microsystems
Originally invented by Sun Microsystems for interactive television, the software was previously known as Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition or J2SE. It was later acquired by the Oracle Corporation that now actively develops and maintains the source code.
It is called Java SE (Standard Edition) because the technology is also distributed as a Micro Edition (ME) and an Enterprise Edition (EE), which are available only for embedded systems/mobile devices and enterprise computing platforms respectively.
Distributed as binary packages for all Linux distributions
The project allows users to enjoy all the latest and greatest Java technologies from both the Internet and Java applications that are usually distributed as JAR files. It is distributed as binary archives that can be deployed on any 64-bit or 32-bit GNU/Linux distribution.
In addition to the standard binary files, Oracle also provides Linux users with binary packages for all RPM-based Linux distributions, including Red Hat Enterprise Linux, Fedora, openSUSE and OpenMandriva.
Supported on numerous operating systems
The JRE (Java Runtime Environment) and JDK (Java Development Kit) platforms are platform-independent and compatible with many open source and commercial operating systems, such as Linux, BSD, Solaris, Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X, supporting the 64-bit, 32-bit and SPARC architectures.
While the Java Runtime Environment platform is used only for enjoying rich web content and Java programs, the Java Development Kit platform helps Java developers to create modern content for websites or feature-rich applications that work on multiple platforms.
Java Development Kit contains Java Runtime Environment
It is also important to know that JDK (Java Development Kit) contains the JRE (Java Runtime Environment) platform, so you don’t have to download them separately if your main goal is to develop in Java.
