According to the Javadocs for Runtime here:

Every Java application has a single instance of class Runtime that allows the application to interface with the environment in which the application is running. The current runtime can be obtained from the getRuntime method. An application cannot create its own instance of this class.

My question is: what's their definition of an application?

Is each JAR/WAR/EAR considered a standalone application? What about a plain ole' Driver.class class with a main() method? What about JEE containers that house EARs and EJBs?

I guess I'm trying to understand how many Runtime instances could be up and running inside a complex (JEE) system. And understanding that requires me to understand what specific "things" constitute an "application" in Java terminology.

Thanks in advance!