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.

Java Preferences missing after latest OS X Java update While the Preferences utility is missing, this may be a simple oversight on Apple's part.

If you've seen it, you hate: the dialog box in OS X that tells you need "legacy" Java installed, but you're not using an app that relies on Java. We have ideas on getting rid of it.