开发人员使用JDK进行开发，首先我们编写.java源代码 开发人员调试代码并将代码编译成JRE中的.class字节码可执行文件 可执行文件由JVM执行，将字节码转换为机器可以执行的本机机器码

他们的关系如下:

参考: Java JDK、JRE和JVM

JVM:描述运行java程序的方式/资源的规范。实际执行字节代码，使java平台独立。在这个过程中，不同的平台是不同的。windows的JVM不能像UNIX的JVM那样工作。

JRE: JVM的实现。(JVM +运行时库)

JDK: JRE + java编译器等基本工具，从零开始构建java程序

通俗来说:JDK = JRE +开发/调试工具，其中JDK是我们与Java一起工作的完整包，从创建编译到运行它。另一方面，JRE只是代码(字节码)的运行。

注意:-无论我们是安装JDK还是JRE, JVM都会与这两个包捆绑在一起，JVM是JIT编译器将字节代码转换为机器特定代码的部分。

只需阅读关于JDK、JRE、JVM和JIT的文章即可

JVM is abbreviated as Java Virtual Machine, JVM is the main component of java architecture. JVM is written in C programming language. Java compiler produce the byte code for JVM. JVM reading the byte code verifying the byte code and linking the code with the ibrary. JRE is abbreviated as Java Runtime Environment. it is provide environment at runtime. It is physically exist. It contain JVM + set of libraries(jar) +other files. JDK is abbreviated as Java Development Kit . it is develop java applications. And also Debugging and monitoring java applications . JDK contain JRE +development tools(javac,java)

OpenJDK是sun JDK的开源版本。Oracle JDK是Sun的官方JDK。

JVM是执行Java代码的虚拟机

JRE是运行Java应用程序所需的环境(标准库和JVM)

JDK是带有开发人员工具和文档的JRE

OpenJDK是一个开源版本的JDK，不像Oracle拥有的普通JDK

JVM

The Java Virtual Machine (JVM) is the virtual machine that runs the Java bytecodes. The JVM doesn't understand Java source code; that's why you need compile your *.java files to obtain *.class files that contain the bytecodes understood by the JVM. It's also the entity that allows Java to be a "portable language" (write once, run anywhere). Indeed, there are specific implementations of the JVM for different systems (Windows, Linux, macOS, see the Wikipedia list), the aim is that with the same bytecodes they all give the same results.

JDK和JRE

要解释JDK和JRE之间的区别，最好是阅读Oracle文档并参考图:

Java Runtime Environment (JRE) The Java Runtime Environment (JRE) provides the libraries, the Java Virtual Machine, and other components to run applets and applications written in the Java programming language. In addition, two key deployment technologies are part of the JRE: Java Plug-in, which enables applets to run in popular browsers; and Java Web Start, which deploys standalone applications over a network. It is also the foundation for the technologies in the Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition (J2EE) for enterprise software development and deployment. The JRE does not contain tools and utilities such as compilers or debuggers for developing applets and applications. Java Development Kit (JDK) The JDK is a superset of the JRE, and contains everything that is in the JRE, plus tools such as the compilers and debuggers necessary for developing applets and applications.

注意，Oracle并不是唯一提供jdk的公司。

OpenJDK

OpenJDK是JDK的开源实现，也是Oracle JDK的基础。Oracle JDK和OpenJDK之间几乎没有区别。

区别在这个博客中说明:

Q: What is the difference between the source code found in the OpenJDK repository, and the code you use to build the Oracle JDK? A: It is very close - our build process for Oracle JDK releases builds on OpenJDK 7 by adding just a couple of pieces, like the deployment code, which includes Oracle's implementation of the Java Plugin and Java WebStart, as well as some closed source third party components like a graphics rasterizer, some open source third party components, like Rhino, and a few bits and pieces here and there, like additional documentation or third party fonts. Moving forward, our intent is to open source all pieces of the Oracle JDK except those that we consider commercial features such as JRockit Mission Control (not yet available in Oracle JDK), and replace encumbered third party components with open source alternatives to achieve closer parity between the code bases.

JDK 11的更新

Donald Smith的一篇文章试图消除Oracle JDK和Oracle的OpenJDK之间的差异:https://blogs.oracle.com/java-platform-group/oracle-jdk-releases-for-java-11-and-later

正如@Alan Evangelista在评论中提到的，Java Web Start已被Oracle在Java SE 9中弃用，并在Java SE 11中删除。