Version 1.5.0 or 5.0?

Both version numbers "1.5.0" and "5.0" are used to identify this release of the Java 2 Platform Standard Edition. Version "5.0" is the product version, while "1.5.0" is the developer version. The number "5.0" is used to better reflect the level of maturity, stability, scalability and security of the J2SE.

The number "5.0" was arrived at by dropping the leading "1." from "1.5.0". Where you might have expected to see 1.5.0, it is now 5.0 (and where it was 1.5, it is now 5).

"Version 5.0" Used in Platform and Product Names

Version 5.0 is used in the platform and product names as given in this table:

Full Name Abbreviation
Platform name JavaTM 2 Platform Standard Edition 5.0 J2SETM 5.0
Products delivered
under the platform
J2SETM Development Kit 5.0 JDKTM 5.0
J2SETM Runtime Environment 5.0 JRE 5.0

Due to significant popularity within the Java developer community, the development kit has reverted back to the name "JDK" from "Java 2 SDK" (or "J2SDK"), and the runtime environment has reverted back to "JRE" from "J2RE". Notice that "JDK" stands for "J2SE Development Kit" (to distinguish it from the J2EE Development Kit). The name "Java Development Kit" is no longer used, and has not been offically used since 1.1, prior to the advent of J2EE and J2ME.

As before, the "2" in Java 2 Platform Standard Edition indicates the 2nd generation Java platform, introduced with J2SE 1.2. This generation number is also used with J2EE and J2ME.

"Version 1.5.0" Used by Developers

J2SE also keeps the version number 1.5.0 (or 1.5) in some places that are visible only to developers, or where the version number is parsed by programs. As mentioned, 1.5.0 refers to exactly the same platform and products numbered 5.0. Version numbers 1.5.0 and 1.5 are used at:

Also see: