what is a binary file?

you are downloading the wrong file. get JRE from the following link. click on the first download button and then install it and you should be fine on any site that uses Java.

http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index.jsp

Whats A Binary File

is it safe for your computer

A binary file is a file which uses ascii codes that don't show as letters, numbers, or punctuation. Any executable file is a binary file. So are conplex word processing codes which often contain control codes to indicate underlining and other special formats to the program. In this case you probably get a compiled java program so it is a binary file. The source code would be a text file.

Typically, a "binary" file means the content of the file isn't intended to be directly human-readable, and most of the characters in the file don't translate to viewable text characters. If you were to open a "binary" file in a typical text editor, you might see miscellaneous characters that look like english characters, but that's mostly just a coincidence, although you may find some english (or other language) strings embedded in a binary file for various reasons.

In your case, a "binary" file is also an "executable" file, which means it will do something when you execute it, as opposed to just opening the file in an associated editor. The Java installer is an executable file that installs the Java "virtual machine" and browser plugin, along with associated files and documentation.