Java check latest version programmatically

Question

Goal: check java\'s version on a machine (I can get this from java -version). Compare it with latest available from java website

I woul

Answer 1

I don't know what information you are exactly looking for, but you can get some version information using

System.getProperty("java.version");

If this is not what you're looking for, check the other available properties here: http://docs.oracle.com/javase/6/docs/api/java/lang/System.html#getProperties()

As for the latest available version, I guess you'd have to parse this site manually: http://java.com/en/download/index.jsp

The latest version is on there, currently it's

Version 7 Update 9

You write that this is not what you want because "Oracle can change their website and styles". However, you want to find out the latest version of Java by accessing their service (website in this case). As long as you're not paying for this, they have no obligation to you, and can change the service whenever they want without your consent. And even when you're a paying customer, the best you can hope for is that they will inform you of upcoming changes, and your maintenance issues will remain.

Remember, it's THEIR service you want to use.