Which version of java should I use ?

English Applications
#1

I would like to know what the best version of java to use in order to get the best java experience.? I would also like to know if two versions ie 1.5 and 1.6 can run together on a machine ?

#2

Unless your app requires a particular version, why not use the most recent, i.e. 1.7 (Icedtea) which is in fact the open source version.

Try to avoid running more than one version at a given time, because each will have its memory requirements and cannot share memory.

#3

In general I’d recommend you use Java 1.6 for now. (but you don’t mention for what purpose you intend to use Java) And yes, you can have multiple JRE’s on a PC.

#4

Will be used for viewing stock exchange graphs

#5

I’d recommend java_1_6_0-sun unless you insist on running OSS. Some in the Java community have reported incompatibilities between the fully-open JDK and Sun’s 1.6 JRE. No doubt, those problems will be disappear in time, but for now, you’ll probably get the best end-user experience from Sun’s Java 6.

#6

I’m guessing you mean you are viewing these graphs in an applet hosted in a browser (this isn’t an independent application you are running?).

Java 1.6 should be fine.