Where Java fits
Install it only when the application or course you use specifies a Java requirement.
Check before you choose
Check the required version and license terms rather than installing an arbitrary runtime.
Find the right edition
Start with the destination for your device or the publisher's website. Use the current requirements and terms there to confirm the edition you need.
Compare the workflow
A missing dependency does not necessarily require a new operating system. Read the application's documented requirement, match the architecture and obtain the component from the publisher rather than a third-party DLL website.