Java ?

EycplUK

Java ? Do i need this on my PC ? what does it do ? every day i get a "update available " message and to be truthful i dont even know what Java is !!
Help please
Regards

RussJK

What is Java, first result:
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=what%20is%20java

You don't need it updating so frequently. It might be a piece of malware forcing it to update so frequently.
1. Uninstall Java http://java.com/en/download/uninstall.jsp
2. Manually install the latest version: http://java.com/en/download/manual.jsp
3. Go to Control Panel then open Java. In the General page, click on 'Settings' then 'delete all files' in order to clear the Java cache.
4. Then click Advanced > misc, and turn off the Java Quick Starter.
5. Remember in future to update Java manually every so often as each update is often a security fix.

esuhl

Java is a cross-platform programming language (meaning that Java programs will run on many different devices - PCs running Windows, Linux, Apple OS, mobile phones, etc.). Java applications can be embedded in web pages or run natively (like a "normal" program). Other applications on your PC may also make use of Java.

The use of Java is quite widespread, but not so much that you would definitely want it on your PC. Maybe you could uninstall it and see if any programs or websites you use ask for it to be installed. Re-installing is easy enough if you find that you do need it.

You shouldn't be getting a new update for it every day, though (unless you are ignoring the message and it's jut reminding you that it hasn't been installed yet). As RussJK says, it could be malware masquerading as a Java update, in which case you should scan your PC for viruses/malware.

BTW, Java is (almost) completely unrelated to JavaScript. The latter is a scripting language (like a basic programming language) that is built-in to web browsers. A lot of websites use JavaScript, so you'll probably won't want to disable that.

spenderdave

There has been a Java update in the past few days, that update message is quite legitimate and obviously you have Java installed otherwise you wouldn't be getting the message. Java is used by quite a few websites but not as common as it used to be, with more and more moving over to Flash. Just do the update (which you can also do via Control Panel/Java).

free4440273

the 'updates' are increasingly annoying i agree !

spud17

free4440273 wrote: »

the 'updates' are increasingly annoying i agree !

And I find that they keep reversing/over-riding any customisations I've made, e.g notifications.

free4440273

spud17 wrote: »

And I find that they keep reversing/over-riding any customisations I've made, e.g notifications.

yep, and the updates just keep on coming !

asbokid

Java is fairly essential for everyday surfing since Java applets are used a lot on the internet. The web browser relies on a Java plugin to run downloaded applets in the Java Virtual Machine (JVM).

There are JVMs from other companies that don't pester like Sun (now Oracle).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Java_virtual_machines

-TangleFoot-

asbokid wrote: »

Java is fairly essential for everyday surfing since Java applets are used a lot on the internet.

None of the web sites I visit seem to use it and the only thing I've got installed that complains about its absence is LibreOffice. JavaScript on the other hand is virtually ubiquitous.

KillerWatt

free4440273 wrote: »

yep, and the updates just keep on coming !

Disable auto update and it won't be a problem.

spud17

KillerWatt wrote: »

Disable auto update and it won't be a problem.

I untick the auto-update box, accept the warning, click apply.
When I go back to check, the auto update box is ticked, the same with disabling the tray notification icon.