Why can't I run my Java program with just the JRE, the JDK is required?
918091Feb 16 2012 — edited Feb 20 2012I've recently written 3 programs in Java using the Netbeans IDE with JDK 1.6 as the default Java platform. The compile-time libraries include the Swing Application Framework. I use BuildDesk from ProductiveMe to package the each program into a Windows installer.
When I install the programs on a new computer without a JRE or JDK being present, and attempt to run them I get an error (as expected) stating that there is no JVM. The messages says that I need to install JDK 1.3 or higher. I downloaded the latest JRE onto the new computer and attempted to run the programs and I get the same error message. My question is, why can't I run these programs with just the JRE installed? Why do I need the JDK? When I install the JDK, the programs run fine. The typical user may not have the JDK on their system, but they likely have the JRE if they've run Java programs before.
Is the answer as simple as there must be library functions being used by the programs that belong to the JDK, but not the JRE? I'd rather a user not have to install the JDK verses the JRE because they may also have to update some Windows environment variables.
Thank you for any help on this issue.