What Is Java Development Kit And Its Purposes?

by Shailendra Kadulkar Web Development & SEO

If you are interested in building a career in Java development or working with a Java development company, it is important to be well-versed with the use and purposes of the Java Development Kit (JDK).

What Is The Java Development Kit?

Java Development Kit (JDK), as the name suggests, is an important platform component for building Java-based applications and web pages. It is one of the three major technology packages used by developers for Java programming, along with the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) and the Java Virtual Machine (JVM).

It is important to understand the difference between the three packages to make get your basics clear about JDK. While the Java Virtual Machine is a platform component used for executing programs and the Java Runtime Environment is an on-disk part of Java used for creating the JVM, the Java Development Kit allows software developers to create customizable Java programs that can be executed and run by both JVM and JRE.

Freshers often get confused between Java Runtime Environment and Java Development Kit. It is important to understand that while the JRE is a package of tools for running the Java code, the JDK is a package of tools for developing Java-based software.

Obtaining the Java set up in your development environment is a simple and straightforward process. It is as simple as download a JDK and adding the same to your classpath. On downloading the JDK, you would be required to select a version of Java that you want t use.

While getting started with the JDK, along with choosing the Java version that you want to go with, you will also be required to select a Java package for the same. These packages are nothing but Java Development Kits that are targeted for a variety of development purposes. The JDK packages that are currently available include Java Enterprise Edition (Java EE), Java Mobile Edition (Java ME), and Java Standard Edition (Java SE).

It is common for new developers to be unsure which package to choose for their project. Essentially, every JDK contains Java SE. If a developer happens to download Java EE or Java ME, they will get the standard edition with the same. Also, it is not difficult to switch to another Java Development Kit in the future if there is a need to do so. It is, therefore, advisable for new developers not to worry about the package they choose when they are starting out.

How To Install The Java Development Kit?

For installing the Java Development Kit, start by running the JDK installer. This will provide you with a selection of three components – Development Tools, Source Code, and Public JRE. You can choose to install any one or all of them. For this example, we would go ahead with selecting the default component.

When you choose the option of “Development Tools”, you are provided with the JDK proper. The “Source Code” to be installed contains the sources for the public classes in the core Java API. When you include this option, you will be allowed to reference the source code while building applications.

The third option of “Public JRE” drives home the fact that the JDK and the JRE are clearly distinct entities. The public JRE can be used by other programs for executing Java programs and can be installed independently of the JDK.

When you install all three components and accept the defaults for every component, your JDK and JRE will be installed in the default locations of your operating system.

For Windows operators, the location would be C:\Program Files\Java.