Open Office and Java

Hi,

Does anyone know if I need Java to run the applications in Open Office that are like Micorsoft Word and Excel?

OpenOffice downloads with JRE but gives you the abiltiy to not download the JRE part, However, it does say that JRE is needed for some aspects of the Open Office but I could not see which ones.

I only want to use the two parts I mentioned and if I do not need Java for those two, then I do not want to install it, but if it is needed, then I guess I will have to, even though I really do not want it.

Thought I would ask here before installing it as I don't want to install something I don't want if I do not need it yet I don't want to not install something that I might need for it to work.

Anybody know?

Thank you everyone for your help.

You should have Java installed on your computer anyway. There are many programs that use it. It's probably already there and you just don't know it.

Download and install the latest offline version of Java here.

Thank you for replying KeyboardNinja.

I do not have Java on system, I have checked for it thoroughly.

Unless this Open Office needs it to run the two applications that I want to use, I have never ran into a situation that it was needed to do anything that I have wanted to do that I could not find a way to do without it. In fact, the only thing I have ever found it was needed for that I kind of wanted to do, was online virus scans that I really have not needed.

I really do prefer to keep it off my system (yes, I know I am wierd) and am only willing to put it on for a short time only if it is in fact necessary to be able to use the Open Office versions of Excel and Word. The only reason I am even willing to put it on for those applications is it will help me improve my job skills to hopefully get a better job. If I do have to put it on for those programs, once I have learned Excel and refreshed myself on Word, it is coming off, as is Word, which I consider to be a worthless program. In my experience, WordPerfect can outrun Word in every respect.

If I do need it for those two applications, I can just download the version of OpenOffice that has JRE included in it but I do apprecaiate you posting a link for me to get it by itself and I appreciate you responding to my post, thank you.

You're welcome.

I'm not sure why you prefer to not have Java, but whatever. It is not mandatory for all PC users, but I have to have it for the web-based apps I run all the time (Blackboard being the main one).

Yes, if OpenOffice comes with a JRE that is required for using its programs, then that is all you need. Just be sure it is the latest version (version 6 update 19 currently). Out of date Java is a security risk (which is why I assume you prefer to not have it).

Enjoy your OpenOffice, and good luck job-hunting.

Another option is to have Java installed but only enabled on as needed basis. Instead of installing and uninstalling every time.

Thank you, both of you.

Edited by Stang777, 05 April 2010 - 12:49 AM.

You're welcome!

"Java is required for complete OpenOffice.org functionality. Java is mainly required for the HSQLDB database engine (used by our database product Base) and to make use of accessibility and assistive technologies. Furthermore some wizards rely on Java technology. If you do not require these features, then you do not need to have Java installed for running OpenOffice.org.

So what does this imply for me? Base (the database component) relies completely on Java technologies to run, but other programs (like Writer, Calc and Impress) only need Java for special functionality."

http://download.openoffice.org/common/java.html
(Emphasis mine)

From this, I think it can be inferred that neither the spreadsheet nor the word processor requires Java except for very advanced uses or those with special needs.

Thank you very much jgweed, that is exactly what I needed to know