Real differences between “java -server” and “java -client”?

Question

Is there any real practical difference between \"java -server\" and \"java -client\"?

All I can find on Sun\'s site is a vague

\"-server st

Answer 1

Oracle’s online documentation provides some information for Java SE 7.

On the java – the Java application launcher page for Windows, the -client option is ignored in a 64-bit JDK:

Select the Java HotSpot Client VM. A 64-bit capable jdk currently ignores this option and instead uses the Java HotSpot Server VM.

However (to make things interesting), under -server it states:

Select the Java HotSpot Server VM. On a 64-bit capable jdk only the Java HotSpot Server VM is supported so the -server option is implicit. This is subject to change in a future release.

The Server-Class Machine Detection page gives information on which VM is selected by OS and architecture.

I don’t know how much of this applies to JDK 6.