4.6 (How) Does Debian support Java?

Since the official Java Development kit and Runtime Environment from Sun Microsystems is non-free software, even undistributeable by Debian, it cannot properly be included in Debian. If you want those installed anyway, please refer to the java-package package in contrib.

However, both the JDK and several free implementations of Java technology are available as Debian packages. You can write, debug and run Java programs using Debian.

Running a Java applet requires a web browser with the capability to recognize and execute them. Several web browsers available in Debian, such as Mozilla or Konqueror, support Java plug-ins that enable running Java applets within them. Netscape Navigator, while non-free, is also available as a Debian package and it can run Java applets.

Please refer to the Debian Java FAQ for more information.