How do I install Java?

Question

How do I install Java and also in my browser so websites with Java work?

Answer 1

Installing OpenJDK is not enough for enabling Java in browsers. You'll also need to install the icedtea6-plugin package:

A restart of the browser might be required.

Answer 2

There are several implementations of Java, the 3 most common implementations when talking about it for Ubuntu are:

• OpenJDK: The primary goal of the OpenJDK project is to produce an open-source implementation of the Java SE Platform (6 and 7). This is the default version of Java that Ubuntu uses and is the easiest to install.
• Sun Java: Sun Java is the reference implementation for Java 6. It's support has been discontinued in Ubuntu.
• Oracle Java: Oracle Java is the OpenJDK Java Se Platform version 7 implementation from Oracle. Oracle introduced with this implementation a license that prevents distribution.

Since Ubuntu 11.10 and due to license issues Ubuntu will no longer distribute Oracle's JDK and JRE. Also previous versions supplied on PPAs suffer from security issues are are not recommended to be installed on any Ubuntu system.

There are no more supported .deb releases from Ubuntu with reference to Sun Java or Oracle Java, Ubuntu officially supports OpenJDK and OpenJRE implementation of Java which is the base for Oracle's own implementation.

OpenJRE is the official implementation of Java Runtime Environment for your Ubuntu systems and should suffice to run any Java program that you might require and its included in the main repo and its easily installable.

OpenJRE

Or by opening a terminal and typing

sudo apt-get install openjdk-7-jre

The openjdk-7-jre package contains just the Java Runtime Environment. If you want to develop Java programs then install the openjdk-7-jdk package:

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Also important is to install the wrapper for supporting Java applications on your web browser Iced-Tea Java Plugin.

IcedTea Plugin

or via a terminal

sudo apt-get install icedtea-plugin

Or look for icedtea-plugin in the Ubuntu Software Center

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To make sure that you are running the correct version of Java use this command to set your choice

sudo update-alternatives --config java

java -version should display the choice you previously made.

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If you need to install OpenJDK-JRE6 or OpenJDK-JDK6

openjdk-6-jre (click to install) is available for installation for Ubuntu 8.04 and up.

Install it with

sudo apt-get install openjdk-6-jre

Or if you need the developers package openjdk-6-jdk (click to install) install it with

sudo apt-get install openjdk-6-jdk

A version of the icedtea-plugin (click to install) is also available to install if you are going to use OpenJDK6.

Install it with

sudo apt-get install icedtea6-plugin

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If you really want to use Oracle's Java Se Platform

• How do I install Oracle Java JDK 7?
• How can I install Oracle Java JRE 7?
• How do I install Oracle JDK 6?

Answer 3

For installing Oracle Java 7:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/java
sudo apt-get update
sudo mkdir -p /usr/lib/mozilla/plugins #just in case, this will be added to the package in the next version
sudo apt-get install oracle-jdk7-installer

• Are "PPA's" safe to add to my system, and what are some "red flags" to watch out for?

Answer 4

Installing OpenJDK - Recommended

The simplest way to install Java on Ubuntu is to use OpenJDK. This will work fine for most people. To install it, click on the small button with the Ubuntu logo on it, as shown in the screenshot below.

After opening the Dash Home, you need to type in Terminal. Click on the icon that is circled in the screenshot below.

This will open the Terminal, which is Ubuntu's version the the Windows Command prompt, though the Terminal has many more features. Now, copy and paste the following command into the Terminal window. You will need to use ControlShiftV to paste text into the terminal.

sudo apt-get install -y openjdk-7-jre openjdk-7-jdk

You will need to enter your password to use this command. Although it will not show up in the Terminal, it will still be entered when you type it. After running this command, you will be set up to run and develop Java applications.

Installing Oracle Java

OpenJDK works fine for most people, but if you play Minecraft, you will want to use Oracle Java instead. To install Oracle Java, run the command below one at a time in the Terminal.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/java
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install oracle-java7-installer

This will download Java from Oracle's website, and install it for you.

• Are "PPA's" safe to add to my system, and what are some "red flags" to watch out for?

Answer 5

Open your terminal with Ctrl+Alt+T and:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/java
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install oracle-java7-installer

Answer 6

Unfortunately, because of issues with its license, Oracle Java is no longer distributed within the official Ubuntu repositories. You have two main options: either try OpenJDK -- an open source replacement for Oracle Java -- or proceed with the "manual" installation (which is exactly what you were trying to do). Both these options are described on the help wiki: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Java. This page also include some other alternatives that, depending on your needs, you may find more suitable.

Just a side note: most of the time, with Ubuntu, you should not download software from the Internet, but rather use the Ubuntu Software Center. The software you'll find there is ensured to be stable, safe and to respect the standard conventions of the system. Oracle Java is just an exception to this rule.

Answer 7

Just go to Aplications --> Ubuntu software center and then search for Java.

Answer 8

While I haven't found a good repo for openjdk7, i found an up to date repo for oracle jdk 7 http://www.webupd8.org/2012/01/install-oracle-java-jdk-7-in-ubuntu-via.html

Would be nice to see one for openjdk7

Answer 9

There are a few ways to install Java in Ubuntu:

Install OpenJDK (The open source equivalent to Sun's Java) directly from Ubuntu Software Center. All you need to do is search for Java. That tends to work as is for me.

If you need Sun's Java, say if you want to play Minecraft, you download the JRE as you described from Java.com, but make sure your .bin-file can be executed. You do that by opening a terminal and typing the following (I will assume you have it in your Downloads folder so change the cd line accordingly if that's not where it is):

cd /home/user/Downloads
sudo chmod +x jre-6u31-linux-i586.bin

Then, you should be able to close your terminal, right click on your .bin-file and select "Execute", which should run the installer. If this is not an option, just do the following from terminal (in the same folder as the two other actions):

./jre-6u31-linux-i586.bin

That simply runs the specified file and if you successfully typed in the two first lines, the installation.

Answer 10

Wow! I had problems with this for a few days - and, even though i do like FLOSS/FOSS philosophy, there are just some things that run better. Java being an example (we'll leave out my other issue with Proprietary software/drivers LOL)

I stumbled upon this today - thankfully - when i was in doubt as to if i should install open source, or Sun's java. And, i found this guide (VERY helpful, and just go to the link below in the description of the video!)

This guy is very knowledgeable, and i had it installed in less than 5 minutes!

I do have to say, that this is my 3rd time installing ubuntu, cause, i went back to 11.04 today, and did a dual boot - half of my TB drive to windows, the other to ubuntu xD = VERY HAPPY! lol.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aG7HAjwTChg

Answer 11

There's an OpenJDK PPA and it seems they have packages for the 10.04 version: OpenJDK PPA

Answer 12

I'm not sure if there is a way to install by package but there is a way to install manually. Here is a very detailed (and perhaps easy) step-by-step on how to do it.