src/share/classes/java/lang/Runtime.java

@@ -542,10 +542,15 @@
      * non-null strings.
      *
      * <p>If <tt>envp</tt> is <tt>null</tt>, the subprocess inherits the
      * environment settings of the current process.
      *
+     * <p>A minimal set of system dependent environment variables may 
+     * be required to start a process on some operating systems. 
+     * As a result, the subprocess may inherit additional environment variable 
+     * settings beyond those in the specified environment.
+     *
      * <p>{@link ProcessBuilder#start()} is now the preferred way to
      * start a process with a modified environment.
      *
      * <p>The working directory of the new subprocess is specified by <tt>dir</tt>.
      * If <tt>dir</tt> is <tt>null</tt>, the subprocess inherits the