Install and Set Up Java Development Environment

Setting up a Java development environment is straightforward. Follow these steps to start coding in minutes!

Step 1: Install Java Development Kit (JDK)

For All Operating Systems

1. Download JDK

The JDK (Java Development Kit) is a software development kit that contains the tools you’ll need to create, run, and debug Java programs. You can download the latest version of the JDK from following links. Make sure to select the appropriate version for your operating system (Windows, Mac, or Linux).

• Visit Oracle JDK or OpenJDK.
• Choose the latest LTS version (e.g., JDK 17).

2. Install JDK

• Windows: Run the downloaded .exe file and follow prompts.
• macOS: Open the .dmg file and drag JDK to Applications.
• Linux: Use package managers like apt or yum.

sudo apt install openjdk-17-jdk  # Debian/Ubuntu  
sudo yum install java-17-openjdk # CentOS/RHEL  

Step 2: Set Environment Variables (PATH)

Ensure your system recognizes javac and java commands.

Windows:

1. Search for “Edit environment variables”.
2. Under the System Variables section, scroll down and find the Path variable.
3. Click on Edit and then click the New button.
4. Add the JDK bin folder path (e.g., C:\Program Files\Java\jdk-17\bin).
5. Click OK to save the changes.

Linux Ubuntu machine

To set the Java home path permanently in Ubuntu, you need to follow the steps given below:

1. Find Java Installation Location

First, you need to find the location of your Java installation by running the following command in the terminal:

sudo update-alternatives --config java

This will display a list of all installed Java versions along with their paths. In my system I got the following output:

There is only one alternative in link group java (providing /usr/bin/java): /usr/lib/jvm/java-1.8.0-amazon-corretto/jre/bin/java
Nothing to configure.

You may see a similar kind of output.

2. Note down the path of the Java version you want to use as the default.

3. Next, open the /etc/environment file using a text editor with root privileges, for example:

sudo vim /etc/environment

I prefer to use Vim. It’s your choice which editor to use. If you want to use the nano then you can use the command:

sudo nano /etc/environment

4. Define JAVA_HOME Path

In the environment file, add the following line at the end (Important: don’t change existing values.)

JAVA_HOME="/path/to/java"

Replace /path/to/java with the path you noted down in step 2.

In my case, the value is: /usr/lib/jvm/java-1.8.0-amazon-corretto/jre/bin/java

5. Save and close the file.

If you are using the vim editor like me, then to save and exit the editor press ESE key and type:

!wq

This will save the changes and exit the editor.

6. Apply Changes

To apply the changes, run the following command in the terminal:

source /etc/environment

This will reload the environment variables.

7. Check Java Home Path

Finally, you can verify that the Java home path has been set correctly by running the following command:

echo $JAVA_HOME

This should output the path you set in step 4.

Step 3: Verify Installation

Open a terminal/command prompt and run:

java -version  
javac -version  

After executing above command, you may see an output like this:

openjdk 11.0.25 2024-10-15 LTS
OpenJDK Runtime Environment Corretto-11.0.25.9.1 (build 11.0.25+9-LTS)
OpenJDK 64-Bit Server VM Corretto-11.0.25.9.1 (build 11.0.25+9-LTS, mixed mode)

If you can see this output then, you are able to setup Java in your computer.

Step 4: Choose an IDE (Integrated Development Environment)

Pick a code editor to write Java efficiently:

1. IntelliJ IDEA (Recommended)

• Download Community Edition.
• Create a new project and start coding!

2. VS Code (Lightweight)

• Install VS Code.
• Add the Java Extension Pack from the Extensions marketplace.

3. Eclipse

• Download Eclipse IDE.
• Choose “Eclipse IDE for Java Developers”.

Step 5: Write Your First Java Program

1. Create a file HelloWorld.java:

public class HelloWorld {  
    public static void main(String[] args) {  
        System.out.println("Hello, World!");  
    }  
}  

2. Compile and run:

javac HelloWorld.java  
java HelloWorld  

Output: 

Hello, World!

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• “javac not recognized”: Recheck the PATH setup.
• IDE errors: Ensure the JDK path is configured in IDE settings.
• Version conflicts: Uninstall older JDK versions if needed.

Conclusion

You’re ready to code in Java! With the JDK installed and an IDE set up, dive into projects or tutorials.