8

Is there a service available that responds with the latest version of Java that's available?

I'm writing system check for an application that uses applets. As part of the check I'd like to inform users if a new version of Java is available for download. Is there any online service that simply responds with the version number for the latest Java version?

Andrew Thompson
  • 168,117
  • 40
  • 217
  • 433
user1439858
  • 89
  • 1

1 Answers1

4

How about a different strategy of 'leave it to the manufacturer'?

The JRE is configured by default to be auto-updating to the latest version Oracle considers to be stable enough for general use. Best leave it to the auto-update feature.

Run-time testing

Of course, there is always How do I test whether Java is working on my computer?

FireFox

An old version of Java has been detected on your system.

Update Java by clicking the button below:

A polite way of saying 'no plug-in found for FF'.

Chrome

Update Available

User Friendly

But ultimately either way, leave it to the end-user's discretion as to what version to use, and whether to update.

Community
  • 1
  • 1
Andrew Thompson
  • 168,117
  • 40
  • 217
  • 433
  • 2
    (+1) Good point. I'd find it rather annoying if I had twenty apps, and all of them felt it their duty to keep me posted on Oracle's releases (especially if I had reasons to not upgrade the JRE right away). – NPE Jun 06 '12 at 13:36