What is Java needed for?

[Neil F]

This morning I got an alert advising a Java update was available so went to proceed.
I got a note "we note you have not used Java in last 6 months -if not needed remove it."
I ignored that and installed the update.
I had always been under the seemingly mistaken belief that Java was just another basic essential for a Pc.

Guidance please.
I appreciate that responders will not know precise details of my installed applications.
but this is the first time (in years) that I have received such note from Java (Oracle) about non usage

thanks

[psycik]

no java isn't all that essential any more. Unless you have a specific application that requires it, then it might be save to remove (or just disable for a period to see if anything breaks)

[Lurking]

It seems to be part of Open Office and LibreOffice MS look-a-likes.

lurking.

[MushHead]

If you do need it, you might want to try getting the open-source version from https://adoptium.net/. You want the JRE rather than the JDK, and probably version 11 or newer, although there's a lot out there that are happy with v8. You probably want the 64-bit version these days, although if your Java application is 32-bit, you'll need the 32-bit JRE. I have both installed on my work PC to support an older programming app that hasn't been updated to 64 bit, and both LibreOffice & the Eclipse software development environment (the Eclipse Foundation owns the Adoptium brand) that are 64-bit.
The Oracle licensing got very intrusive in the last year or so, so I avoided the hassle by going the Adoptium route.