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

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.

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