Java Name Acronym Explanation

Name	Acronym	Explanation
Java Development Kit	JDK	The software for programmers who want to write Java programs
Java Runtime Environment	JRE	The software for consumers who want to run Java programs
Standard Edition	SE	The Java platform for use on desktops and simple server applications
Enterprise Edition	EE	The Java platform for complex server applications
Micro Edition	ME	The Java platform for use on cell phones and other small devices
Java 2	J2	An outdated term that described Java versions from 1998 until 2006
Software Development Kit	SDK	An outdated term that described the JDK from 1998 until 2006
Update	u	Sun’s term for a bug fix release

Java SE Naming and Versions

The Java Platform name has changed a few times over the years.

Java was first released in January 1996 and was named Java Development Kit, abbreviated JDK.

Version 1.2 was a large change in the platform and was therefore rebranded as Java 2. Full name: Java 2 Software Development Kit, abbreviated to Java 2 SDK or J2SDK.

Version 1.5 was released in 2004 as J2SDK 5.0 –dropping the “1.” from the official name and was further renamed in 2006.

Starting with Tiger (J2SDK 5.0), each version has two version numbers: an internal number, such as 1.5.0, and an external number, such as 5.0.

Sun simplified the platform name to better reflect the level of maturity, stability, scalability, and security built into the Java platform. Sun dropped the "2" from the name. The development kit reverted back to the name "JDK" from "Java 2 SDK". The runtime environment has reverted back to "JRE" from "J2RE."

JDK 6 and above versions, no longer use the “dot number” at the end of the platform version.

When invoking the “java-version” command the result includes the version string with its update version number. When the version string for the product is reported as "java version 1.7.0_3", the product will be called JDK 7u3, JDK 7 update 3 or, when the update version is not important, JDK 7.

When invoking the “java –fullversion” command, the result also includes the build number, a level of detail not needed by most users. When the version string for the product is reported as "java version 1.7.0_3-b04", where” b” means “build”.