May I ask for someone to clarify this, please: in recent years I've studiously avoided anything to do with Java on my Macs. In the past, I've removed JVMs and JREs.
Is it true that El Capitan does install some sort of legacy Java environment; is it safe; should I remove it?
El Capitan does NOT install a JRE or JVM. But if an app prompts for a JRE El Capitan will offer a popup window that will offer to install a legacy version of Java 6 for compatibility with older Java apps. I have the Oracle Java 8 build 65 installed and it has never failed to work with any Java app or applet and is vastly more secure than the Apple Java 6 legacy.
"All you've got to do is own up to your ignorance honestly, and you'll find people who are eager to fill your head with information" --Walt Disney
El Capitan does NOT install a JRE or JVM. But if an app prompts for a JRE El Capitan will offer a popup window that will offer to install a legacy version of Java 6 for compatibility with older Java apps. I have the Oracle Java 8 build 65 installed and it has never failed to work with any Java app or applet and is vastly more secure than the Apple Java 6 legacy.
There was a patch to Update 66 within minutes of Update 65 coming out. How come you didn't update?
The Java control panel still lists update 65 as the recommended version and says that is what I have, but I did install update 66. I wonder if 66 one got rushed out too quickly to get the identifications updated???
I just checked my Java Applet Plug-in and it states Java 8 Update 66 build 17.