java

Differentiate JRE and JDK

Both are two key components of the Java ecosystem

JRE (Java Runtime Environment)

• Runs Java applications
• Includes JVM (executes bytecode), core libraries (e.g., java.lang, java.util), supporting files
• For end-users running apps (e.g., Minecraft)
• Smaller size

JDK (Java Development Kit)

• Develops Java applications
• Includes JRE + compiler (javac), debugger (jdb), tools (jar, javadoc)
• For developers writing/compiling code (e.g., in IntelliJ or Eclipse)
• Larger size

Relationship

• JRE is subset of JDK, JDK includes JRE, no separate install needed