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If you poke around a bit in your computer, you may find a folder or two called “Java.” Because Java does its magic in the background, without your being aware of it, many people don’t realize just how important it is. Sometimes they don’t notice it until their computer asks them to update Java.

There are some complicated explanations of what Java is and why it was created available on the web, but the basic premise is that it was created to provide the same function to computer users regardless of what platform you are using. A website or program that uses Java to present content will present that content in the same way regardless of which type of computer, operating system, or web browser you are using. Java acts as a go-between between the computer and the user. Someone writing a program for Java can rest assured that it will work on any computer that is currently running Java.

Because it runs in the background, you may not be aware that it is essential for many of the activities you do on your computer. Many games depend on Java, as do many websites that stream video or audio. In fact, many websites use Java to deliver all kinds of content, so if you don’t have Java on your computer or you don’t update it on a regular basis, you are missing out on a lot of content. Just about every gaming site on the internet uses Java, because it is essential to moving images around.

If your computer asks you to update Java, you should go ahead and do it. If you never get this message, it’s possible that your computer doesn’t have Java installed. You can download and install it easily just by doing a web search for “Download Java.”