Do I need both JDK and JRE?

31
votes

I used to have JRE 7 before, and now I installed JDK 8 and deleted my JRE 7 folder. I'm using Eclipse Kepler, and I added JDK 1.8 to my installed JRE's. Can I delete the JRE 1.8 folder as it's taking up space in my computer? Will it cause any problems?

3
javaeclipse
You mean delete the jre folder inside of the JDK? I wouldn't do that. If it is a JRE you installed separately, then sure, kill it. – Thilo
I wouldn't delete the folder in any case and use proper uninstall procedures. – Gimby
If you don't install JRE, you can't find java control panel in windows and javaws.exe – Voyager

3 Answers

31
votes

JRE is a part of JDK.

No need to have JRE when you have JDK. If you open JDK folder and see, you'll have JRE folder inside it which is the same of JRE folder initially you have.

17
votes

As all have said that JDK includes JRE, that is perfectly right.

But let me add more on it to fulfill an industrial Structure.

While an employee works on some project, they need JDK for they need to write code as well as compile it. But after the development process completes, the software is ready to deliver and the client's machine will have to choose whether JDK is needed or the JRE.

I would recommend to install JRE on clients' machines because clients don't have to compile the code. Clients always goes straight forward to execute it.

So, make sure to install JRE on clients' machines, not JDK. It will give the advantage of Memory - Utilization too.

Thanks.

6
votes

You can delete JRE. JDK is a superset of JRE and contains everything already.