macOS Question on Java version

[aaronvan]

When I open the Java Control Panel in System Preferences it says I'm running Version 7 Update 60 (build 1.7.0_60-b19).

However, in terminal

java -version

returns:

java version "1.6.0_65"

Additionally,

which javac

returns:

/usr/bin/javac

Obviously, I have one version of Java in my bin path and another installed somewhere else. But where and why? And what version does Mavericks use?

I'm just curious.

 

[Weaselboy]

Obviously, I have one version of Java in my bin path and another installed somewhere else. But where and why? And what version does Mavericks use?

I'm just curious.

It depends. If you run a Java application, it will use the 1.6 version that you likely auto downloaded from Apple at some point. That sits in this folder.

/System/Library/Java

But if you hit a web site that wants to use Java it will use the Java 1.7 web plugin at this folder.

/Library/Internet Plug-Ins

 

[Sciuriware]

but ......... if you write JAVA applications in ECLIPSE for 1.7 and build .jar's
off them, they will report that they run in 1.7

However, it seems that ECLIPSE itself needs 1.6 from APPLE to display right
on retina screens.
;JOOP!

 

[aaronvan]

It depends. If you run a Java application, it will use the 1.6 version that you likely auto downloaded from Apple at some point. That sits in this folder.

/System/Library/Java

But if you hit a web site that wants to use Java it will use the Java 1.7 web plugin at this folder.

/Library/Internet Plug-Ins

Excellent, thanks.