For Android development, some questions about Java SDK and 32/64 bit versions

Question

I am about to get my feet wet in Android development, and I had some questions about the Java SDK as it pertains to Android coding.

I'm running Win 7 x64 - is it better if I run the 32-bit JDK, or the 64 bit JDK? I've done some searching, and keep finding conflicting answers.

Also, if I'm about to install the SDK, should I uninstall the Java Run Time on my machine first? Does the SDK serve the same purpose? Or do I need both installed at the same time?

Thanks! And I'm sorry if you guys have heard these questions before. (I did try to look up the info first, I promise!) :)

Answer 1

You need to install both the 32-bit and 64-bit JDKs. Without the 32-bit JDK, the Android plugin for Eclipse won't install. You don't need to uninstall any existing JREs.

EDIT: This answer applies only to Eclipse with the Android plugin, which is no longer a supported way of developing for Android. For Android Studio, if you have a 64-bit Windows OS, I believe you only need the 64-bit version of Java. (Since everything constantly changes, this edit will eventually join my original answer in being out of date. Consult the latest system requirement docs, currently at the bottom of the Android Studio download page here.)