Installing java - should I use the .rpm file or the .tar.gz?

I am looking to install java on Linux Ubuntu 64-bit. Should I use the .tar files or the .gz files. Download speed is not an issue. I'm not interested in tons of details I just would like to pick one. I will be doing application development, though not in java itself which I don't know/use. It is needed for other products that I run like rubyMine for developing ruby applications.