java Runtime Environment Vs java Development Kit

Java Runtime Environment Vs java Development Kit

A Java distribution typically comes in two flavors, the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) and theJava Development Kit (JDK).

The JRE consists of the JVM and the Java class libraries. Those contain the necessary functionality to start Java programs.

The JDK additionally contains the development tools necessary to create Java programs. The JDK therefore consists of a Java compiler, the Java virtual machine and the Java class libraries.