macs latest jre

Newbie & Debugging Questions
#1

I need help interpreting this

Java for Mac OS X 10.5 Update 2

Java for Mac OS X 10.5 Update 2 delivers improved reliability and compatibility for Java SE 6, J2SE 5.0 and J2SE 1.4.2 on Mac OS X 10.5.4 and later. The release updates Java SE 6 to version 1.6.0_07, J2SE 5.0 to version 1.5.0_16, and J2SE 1.4.2 to 1.4.2_18. The update is available through Software Update and the Apple Support website.

Is this saying 1.6.0_07 is the latest for mac, so its safe to compile code using 1.6 or is it 1.5 that is the latest?
I dont know the difference btween j2se and java se 6.

sorry this is way noob but im sick of apps not working on macs cause im using to high of a java version.

#2

Java 6 does exist for macs, unfortunately, as far as I know, it’s not the default jre used. So even though I have 6 installed on my mac, webstarts still try to run with 1.5. Java 6 is only available for mac users with 10.5, and the newer models of Apple computers.

I would say that it is not safe yet, since many mac users may not even run the updater frequently.