Deleting everything JAVA

[Jack W]

I am having minor problems with java in Snow Leopard.

EtreCheck reports some crashes that have java references.

To my knowledge I do not use any apps that require java.

Java was installed back when I was running Tiger.
Then when I migrated to SL, the java migrated over also.
Some updates were made to java over the years in SL.

I would like to eliminate java from my SL install.

• Is it possible to do?
• Why shouldn't I do it?
• Why should I do it?
• What are the caveats?

Any other input - pro or con would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Jack

[Xairbusdriver]

I'd suggest first simply Disabling Java through the Java Control Panel which is accessed from System Prefs. If you don't see a "Java" icon in System Prefs, use the View menu to enable its showing in the Prefs window. <How do I disable Java in my web browser?, Oracle>

After running a few weeks, you should discover anything that actually uses Java. I'd say there are very few apps still using it in most consumer Macs. You're most likely to run across its use at some web site, often a financial one.

Most have found it easier to remove the "JavaAppletPlugin.plugin.", butI don't think that actually remove the Java files/code, it simply prevents a web site from using it.

DO NOT simply remove stuff from the System without considering what it might be used for. <Command line method of removal., Oracle>

Additional details: <Mac Observer>

[Jack W]

Jim,

I don't have a Java Control Panel in SysPrefs

I am running Snow Leopard v10.6.8

Here's my prefs:

[attachment=3332:Sys_Prefs.jpg]

Per your response, I moved JavaAppletPlugin.plugin to my Disabled Plugins folder.

We'll see if that solves the problem.

Thanks,

Jack

[Jack W]

Moving the java applet

Now I am going to move the /library/java to the desktop

[Jack W]

No joy yet

So I did what I should have done already.

I booted up in another vanilla account and ran EtreCheck again - problem disappeared - so it's in my primary account.

[jcarter]

Ive kept Java, as these kind of sites require it.
This weather map, and many others which I like,
need it.
This map is in motion. I just took a screenshot of it.
The velocity of the wind here on Cape Cod was awful yesterday.

I guess its OK to keep it on my Macs?

[Xairbusdriver]

Things have changed since Snow Leopard. That was the last OS in which Apple supported Java, so the location of things changed with the next OS.

Things may have also changed in System Prefs. When you have that app open, do you have a "View" menu?

This System Pref pref lets you hide un-needed/seldom used Prefs.
This may be a change after SL.

[jcarter]

Yes, this is certainly interesting, as I need it, I think? For my weather stuff.
And way back in an HTML class we used Java to make some very interesting things out of flowers.
I would have to dig into my old class stuff on my site to find them, but they were total fun to do.

Thanks, this is something I dont know much about. So I sure will be watching for your further instructions and info.
Your screen shot was great!

[Jack W]

Jim,

JAVA does not show -

[attachment=3334:Screen_s...50.40_AM.jpg]

[jcarter]

Here is mine, but Ive left everything as is, as I dont really understand it much. All I did was to put in a few sites which I want it to work on.

[Xairbusdriver]

QUOTE

JAVA does not show -

Could be a difference in SL or maybe the results of your house cleaning. As long as you don't see any problems in the next few weeks/months, who cares?

[kimmer]

Stealing a bit of attention here ... which is the evil one: Java or JavaScript? I know one is more prone to security issues and I can't remember which one I'm not really supposed to be using.

[jcarter]

JavaScript is code that we use when we make websites. I can do fine with HTML and pretty good with CSS, but JS is very difficult to learn.  But its worth the trouble, just the few basic things with JS code can help us make slide shows and stuff like that.

Java is something else that I know very little about, though it did come up in some of our earlier classes, and we made some very odd pictures with it. You can take a flower and make it wobble and look like its reflected in a dish of water and stuff like that. I didn't use it much at all. But it does make these weather pages where you get the whirling motion with wind directions and more.
I dont understand much about Flash either, nor did we get it in class.

Somebody here will explain it much better than I ever can.

[Xairbusdriver]

Java is a compiled language (like C, Fortran, etc.). it can run in most any OS. It is now supported by Oracle. It does have security problems. But it is now used almost exclusively in well protected, closed systems, often not even connected to the web. Last major use I know of was in some games.

javascript is, by definition, a "scripting" language (like AppleScript, PHP, Python, etc.). It is used (and abused) on the web to do things that plain html cannot. It is also a major vector for malware and accessing things on your computer, behind your back, of course. It must have a browser to allow it to run. Thankfully, CSS3+ and HTML5 are making it less needed. It's the main reason I keep ad blockers running.

The two things are completely different 'animals'. I usually use a lowercase "j" for javascript to imply my disdain for it as opposed to a capital "J" since it is a commercial product.

Handy things javascript can do: Transmitting information about the user's reading habits and browsing activities to various websites. Web pages frequently do this for Web analytics, ad tracking, personalization or other purposes. See the "Security" section on <this Wikipedia page>. Additional, simpler explanations at <WhatIsMyBrowser.com>.

[kimmer]

Thanks, xABD. I'll make sure I have javascript off unless requested.