Why JDK & not JRE?

I am wondering why some of the answers on the forum state there is a need to install Java Development Kit (197 MB) as opposed to Java Runtime Environment (55 MB).

I cannot find anything in the official documentation.

I have no problems with JRE and JDK is used in the development of applications

Thanks

It is my understanding this is specific to Apple. This bug report 96163 kind of sums it up.

Thank you for the link to the bug report.

I can stop wondering now.