In general, the java.exe and javac.exe files in the javapath folder are essential for Java development. java.exe is the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) executable file used to run Java applications, while javac.exe is the Java Compiler executable file used to compile Java source code into bytecode.

On the other hand, javaw.exe, javaws.exe, and jshell.exe are not essential for Java development, but they serve specific purposes:

  • javaw.exe: This executable file is similar to java.exe, but it does not open a command-line window when launching a Java application. It is useful when you want to run a Java application without displaying any command-line interface.
  • javaws.exe: This executable file is part of Java Web Start and is used to launch Java-based web applications. It allows users to start and manage Java applications by clicking on links or icons on web pages, eliminating the need for manual downloading and installation.
  • jshell.exe: This executable file is an interactive Java shell introduced in Java 9. It provides a command-line interface for quickly testing and validating Java code snippets without the need to write complete classes or methods. It is useful for rapid prototyping, teaching, and debugging.

While javaw.exe, javaws.exe, and jshell.exe are not essential for Java development, they can be beneficial in specific scenarios. You can decide whether to use them based on your specific needs and the requirements of your Java applications.

If you have any further questions, please let me know.