What Is Java?

• Java is a not just a programming language; it is also an application. The Java virtual machine is a software simulation of a computer that runs Java programs. This means in order to run any Java programs, including applets on Web pages, you need to have the Java virtual machine installed on your computer. The use of a virtual machine gives Java programs the ability to work on any platform, making them advantageous for Web content.
  
  

Out of Date

• Once you have installed the Java virtual machine, you should be able to see and use any Java content you encounter on the Web. That's not the end of it, however. The Java language is regularly updated with new features and classes for Java programmers to use. If a Java developer writes an applet using such a new feature, your version of the virtual machine has to have the new feature installed in order to run the applet.
  
  

Updates

• To address this problem, Java uses automatic updates. These are similar to the automatic updates you get for your operating system or antivirus software. They check to see if there are updates available and then download and install them. This way, you can always run any Java applets or applications, even if they were written using all the latest features of the Java language. By default, the Java Update application asks you first before downloading or installing anything.
  
  

Changing Settings

• If you decide you don't want the updates, or just don't want to be pestered as often, you can change the Java Update settings. In the Start Menu, click "Control Panel," or "Settings," and then "Control Panel." In the window that pops up, double-click "Java." Select the "Updates" tab. Here, you can toggle updates on and off, change what point in the process it stops to ask your permission or click the "Advanced" button and change the schedule for the automatic checks.