The Java Virtual Machine is built right into your software download and helps run Java apps. The Virtual Machine is only one aspect of software that is involved in web interaction. I have heard the terms Virtual Machine and JVM.

The Plug-in software is not a standalone program and cannot be installed separately. The JRE allows applets written in the programming language to run inside various internet browsers. The JRE is the runtime portion of the software, which is all you need to run it in your Web browser. The JRE consists of the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), Java platform core classes, and supporting Java platform libraries. The Java Runtime Environment 64 bit (JRE app) is what you get when you download software. What will I get when I download software? Installing this free update will ensure that your applications continue to run safely and efficiently. The latest version contains important enhancements to improve the performance, stability, and security of the applications that run on your machine. Why should I upgrade to the latest version? It's the platform for launching careers, exploring human-to-digital interfaces, architecting the world's best applications, and unlocking innovation everywhere-from garages to global organizations. From laptops to datacenters, game consoles to scientific supercomputers, cell phones to the Internet, Java is everywhere! It is at the heart of the digital lifestyle. The program is fast, secure, and reliable.

There are lots of applications and websites that will not work unless you have Java installed, and more are created every day. It is a programming language and computing platform first released by Sun Microsystems in 1995.

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