"Write Once, Run Anywhere(tm)"

The Java platform is unique in that it's a software-only platform that runs on top of other hardware-based platforms. Hence, the Java Platform lets you develop and deploy Java applications on desktops and servers, as well as today's demanding embedded and real-time environments. Java also includes classes that support the development of web services and provides the foundation for enterprise development.

Currently, the Java platform comes in three flavors:

• Java Platform, Standard Edition (Java SE) is designed for desktop computers. Most often it runs on top of Sun Solaris, Mac OS X, Linux, or Microsoft Windows.
• Java Platform, Enterprise Edition (Java EE)is a comprehensive platform for multi-user, enterprise-wide applications. It is based on Java SE and adds APIs for Internet-based server-side computing.
• Java Platform, Micro Edition (Java ME) is a set of technologies and specifications developed for small devices like pagers, mobile phones, and set-top boxes. Java ME uses smaller-footprint subsets of Java SE components, such as smaller virtual machines and leaner APIs, and defines a number of APIs that are specifically targeted at consumer and embedded devices.