Both mean the same. The way you specify these values differs.
I guess, mapreduce.map.java.opts.max.heap
and mapreduce.reduce.java.opts.max.heap
are specific to Cloudera distribution. Refer: Tuning YARN.
mapreduce.map.java.opts
and mapreduce.reduce.java.opts
are part of standard Hadoop configuration. Check the Hadoop trunk code here: MrJobConfig.java
Also, if you refer to the ticket here: https://issues.cloudera.org/browse/DISTRO-752, it discusses about setting these values.
For e.g. mapreduce.map.java.opts.max.heap
and mapreduce.reduce.java.opts.max.heap
are specified as (983 MB):
<property>
<name>mapreduce.map.java.opts.max.heap</name>
<value>983</value>
</property>
<property>
<name>mapreduce.reduce.java.opts.max.heap</name>
<value>983</value>
</property>
mapreduce.map.java.opts
and mapreduce.reduce.java.opts
are specified as: (983 MB) (I use these settings)
<property>
<name>mapreduce.map.java.opts</name>
<value>-Xmx983m</value>
</property>
<property>
<name>mapreduce.reduce.java.opts</name>
<value>-Xmx983m</value>
</property>
Observe the difference in the value. One is set as "983" and the other is set as "-Xmx983m"