Java used to be deeply embedded in OS X, but in recent versions of the OS it's an optional install. Here is how to check to see if it is installed, and how to disable or remove it.

Disabling Java in OS X requires doing so for each user account; however, even terminal commands for doing this may be a bit impractical to use as a substitute.

Mac OS 9’s Software Update control panel software notes that there’s a new version of Mac OS Runtime for Java in distribution.

Oracle today announced the release of several new Java software packages, including the new Java SE 7 Update 6 that brings full support for Java SE 7 to OS X for the first time.

About Java for Mac OS X 10.6 Update 13 Java for Mac OS X 10.6 Update 13 delivers improved security, reliability, and compatibility by updating Java SE 6 to 1.6.0_41.