Difference between JDK, J2EE and J2SE codename

Question

I have seen the same topics here and some topics on other sites, but I'm really still confused, how does Sun name those versions.

Here is my knowledge about those codenames. Please check it and correct for me:

JDK: stands for Java Development Kit can be known as the most basic of Java, used to develop client side application (such as desktop application (use Swing, awt, ...) or Applet,...)

J2EE: stands for Java Enterprise Edition used to develop application on Server side (such as Servlet, EJB,...)

J2SE: I have no idea about this yet !!!

When I have read on some famous forum/site (stackoverflow, byte, javabranch etc...). there are some different answers for my question. (or maybe I understand wrong because my bad English).

Here some answer that I have search:

JDK is like J2SEE !!! Oh, I don't trust this so much. when I config Glassfish server on Eclipse, Eclipse warns that this version need j2se 1.4 later (but I have JDK 7 or jdk 1.7 !!!)

correlation-between-jee-j2ee-to-j2se-jdk-versions I don't under stand phrase will be built(the post that have marked correct answer).

For example:

J2EE 1.4 is the Enterprise Edition of version 1.4 of the Java platform, and thus will be built on J2SE 1.4.

So, it means J2EE is the "beta version" of J2SE ??!! Please explain for me.

I tried to learn EJB, so which version I need to install ?

Thanks :)

Answer 1

J2SE is a old name. Now his name is Java SE.

Java SE is the base of java. With Java SE you can build java applications, like Swing, Applets, etc.

Java EE is a specification for enterprise applications. When you need to develop one application and run it under a JBoss, Glassfish, Websphere and other container, you are talking about Java EE.

You should read this article about java ee: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Java_Platform,_Enterprise_Edition

Answer 2

Java SE is the generic name which has two different components in it. JDK and the JRE. Java EE as explained above is the enterprise edition which has more components in it.