A Java platform edition is a definitive and agreed-upon version of the Java platform that provides the functionality needed over a broad market segment.

An edition is comprised of two kinds of API sets: (i) core packages, which are essential to all implementations of a given platform edition, and (ii) optional packages, which are available for a given platform edition and which may be supported in a compatible implementation.

There are 3 distinct editions of the Java Platform:

* Java 2 Platform, Enterprise Edition:
The edition of the Java platform that is targeted at enterprises to enable development, deployment, and management of multi-tier server-centric applications.

* Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition:
The edition of the Java platform that enables development, deployment, and management of cross-platform, general-purpose applications.

* Java 2 Platform, Micro Edition:
The edition of the Java platform that is targeted at small, standalone or connectable consumer and embedded devices to enable development, deployment, and management of applications that can scale from smart cards through mobile devices and set-top boxes to conventional computing devices.