How to check for the latest version of java

I want to make a java-based GUI tool that checks for the la开发者_如何学Pythontest version of java available online,and compares it to the version currently installed

I already know how to check for the version currently installed on the machine

I don't know about the part where you check for the version available online

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This web based Java Tester does what you want to do.

The author of the Java Tester keeps track of the latest version manually. I think you would have to do the same.

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Have you looked into java web start for deploying your application? It will automatically perform version checks and perform the installation if a new version is needed.

http://java.sun.com/javase/technologies/desktop/javawebstart/index.jsp