Difference between java.exe, javaw.exe and jvm.dll

Question

What is the difference in running an application (for example, Eclipse) with java.exe, javaw.exe and jvm.dll? Also, does it make any difference in terms of performance?

Answer 1

• java.exe - run a Java program (need to specify classes and/or JARs) starting from specified class containing main() method.

• javaw.exe - as above but does not create a Windows command prompt (suitable for Swing programs that do not need a console).

• jvm.dll - this is not a runnable but a library. Probably used by both programs above.