Maximum PC

How is it that Minecraft requires Java to be installed on your computer?

Seriously, how many games out there require Sun's giant security hole to run?

My kid was begging for this game. Only after paying for it do I learn it requires Java.

Seriously, WTF?

I will admit it looks and runs better on a PC than on the consoles, but who the hell puts Java into a video game? Java needs to vanish from the face of the earth and take Adobe Flash with it.

Because it's programed in Java, duh.


A lot. Mostly web based stuff.


Because Notch used Java.

If you have such a paranoid issue with security (which really, you probably half a dozen other security holed software that's just as bad), then run it in a sandbox or VM or something.

Also do you use Android? Because most of of Android's apps are Java based.

Problem with Java is that Sun Microsystems has always been slow and sloppy responding to security threats.

Maybe you work for them, but most commentary I've read involves recommendations for removing it from one's PC because it is generally considered a high security risk.

At the least, people recommend disabling Java when not running the game.

How many games out there are coded in Java? One? It's ridiculous. I realize Persson is a good guy with a big heart, but Java puts PCs at risk. It's a big, fat target. Always has been.

What bugs me here is you're whining about why Minecraft uses Java on this forum when you're better served doing that at a Minecraft forum or emailing Notch directly. Again, if you want to keep your son happy but avoid the security risk, run it in a sandbox or VM.

But besides that, if you looked at his Wikipedia bio, he looks to be most educated in Java. If you're going to code a program and you know several languages, chances are you'll use the programming language you're most comfortable with.

What the hell does anyone have to do to get a Java problem or exploit on their computers? I've gone to plenty of nasty websites and downloaded all sorts of software over the years and I've yet to get even one virus or trojan, never mind a Java issue. Then again, I run antivirus software.

AV software doesn't protect you against exploits. But otherwise you have a point, OP is probably running a half dozen other programs with equally nasty security holes. Java is one of many problems he can lose sleep over.

Is this the Java vs JavaScript confusion?

After all, Java is a core programming language. Most CS programs in college teach either C or Java for freshman.

Java can run untrusted code in its run time environment, which may have undesirable effects on the system. And there's no real security for this. The way you add mods into Minecraft? Rename minecraft.jar to minecraft.zip, open it up, add the mod's .jar file, change minecraft.zip back to minecraft.jar.

Heck, I'm glad Notch coded it in Java. That made it easier for him to port it to other Oses. Be it Windows, Mac or Linux, it just works.

It is the one game I'll be able to take with me as I dump Windows and move to Linux.