How to Update and Switch Between Java Versions on Ubuntu

If you're a developer who works with multiple projects that require different versions of Java, managing these versions can be a hassle. Fortunately, updating and switching between Java versions on Ubuntu is relatively straightforward. In this article, we'll explore how to do just that.

Updating the Java Version for a Specific Terminal

Before we dive into the process of switching between Java versions, it's worth noting that you can update the Java version for a specific terminal by adding a few lines to your shell profile. To do this, open your terminal and type:

`JAVA_HOME=/usr/lib/jvm/java-11-openjdk-amd64`

Next, sign out and sign back in to your terminal to apply the changes.

Switching Between Java Versions

To switch between different versions of Java, you can use one of two methods. The first method is to install Oracle JDK 8 using the following commands:

`sudo apt-get install oracle-java8-installer`

`sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/java`

Once installed, you can check the available Java versions by running the command `update-java-alternatives -list`.

Using OpenJDK on Ubuntu

Alternatively, you can use OpenJDK, which is included with Ubuntu. To install OpenJDK 11, simply run:

`sudo apt-get install openjdk-11-jdk`

You can then check the version of Java installed by running `java -version`. This should display something like 'openjdk version '11.0.4''.

Switching to a Different Java Version

To switch to a different Java version, you'll need to use the `update-alternatives` command. For example, if you want to set OpenJDK 11 as the default Java version, run:

`sudo update-alternatives -config java`

This will display a list of available Java versions and allow you to select the one you want.

In this article, we've covered how to update and switch between Java versions on Ubuntu. Whether you're working with OpenJDK or Oracle JDK 8, these steps should help you manage your Java versions with ease.

By following these instructions, you can ensure that you have the right version of Java installed for each project you work on. Remember to always check the version of Java installed using `java -version` and to update your shell profile accordingly if you want to use a specific version of Java in a particular terminal.

Openjdk platform 11