How to Install Oracle Java 7 on Ubuntu Linux


How to Install Oracle Java 7 update 21 on Ubuntu 12.04 Linux
by Hendré

Abstract
This blog entry will guide you through the step-by-step installation of Java on Ubuntu. I selected Oracle Java 7 update 21 and Ubuntu Linux 12.04 32 bit for this post.
Introduction
Installing Java on Linux follows the download-extract-configure pattern. We will begin by downloading Oracle Java from Oracle’s website, extracting the download in the appropriate folder, and finally informing Ubuntu about the newly installed version of Java.
Step 1: Verify that you do not already have the correct version of Java installed.
Open your console window and enter the following command:
java –version
If you get the following result, you already have Java 7 update 21 installed and can ignore the rest of the steps:
java version 1.7.0_21
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.7.0_21-b11)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 23.21-b01, mixed mode)
Step 2: Download Oracle Java.
New release of Java are featured on the main Java download page.
If Java 7 update 21 is no longer featured, you can find the download by following the Previous Releases link found on the main download page.
Open the Java download page in your browser and download jdk-7u21-linux-i586.bin.
Make a note of the folder to which you downloaded the file. For further reference in this blog, I will call this folder the “downloads folder”.
Step 3: Create the installation folder.
The usr/lib/jvm is the default installation location of the Java JDK. Enter the following command in your console to create this folder, if it does not already exist:
sudo mkdir -p /usr/lib/jvm
The –p option ensures that all folders in the mkdir path are created.
Step 4: Navigate to the “downloads folder”.
If you downloaded the file to your Home folder, you can use the following command:

cd ~/
or substitute "~/" with the path to the “downloads folder”.
Step 5: Move the downloaded archive to the installation folder.
sudo mv jdk-7u25-linux-i586.tar.gz /usr/lib/jvm
Step 6: Navigate to the “installation folder”.
cd /usr/lib/jvm
Step 7: Unpack the tarball archives.

sudo tar zxvf jdk-7u21-linux-i586.tar.gz
If you want to conserve space you may delete the tarball archives.
sudo rm jdk-7u21-linux-i586.tar.gz
Step 8: Display the contents of the installation folder.
ls -l
Response:
jdk1.7.0_25
Make a note of the newly created folder names.
Step 9: Inform Ubuntu where your Java installation is located.
sudo update-alternatives –install "/usr/bin/javac" "javac" "/usr/lib/jvm/jdk1.7.0_25/bin/javac" 1
sudo update-alternatives –install "/usr/bin/java" "java" "/usr/lib/jvm/jdk1.7.0_25/bin/java" 1
Step 10: Inform Ubuntu that this is your default Java installation.
sudo update-alternatives –set "javac" "/usr/lib/jvm/jdk1.7.0_25/bin/javac"
sudo update-alternatives –set "java" "/usr/lib/jvm/jdk1.7.0_25/bin/java"
Step 11: Update your system-wide PATH. (Linux desktop only??)
Edit your /etc/profile file using:
sudo nano /etc/profile
Add the following entries to the bottom of your /etc/profile file:
JAVA_HOME=/usr/lib/jvm/jdk1.7.0_25
PATH=$PATH:$JAVA_HOME/bin
export JAVA_HOME
export PATH
Save your /etc/profile file using CTRL + X.
Step 12: Reload your system-wide PATH.
. /etc/profile
Step 13: Test your new installation.

java –version
Response:
java version 1.7.0_25
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.7.0_25-b12)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 23.21-b01, mixed mode)

javac –version
Response:
javac 1.7.0_25
Step 14: Congratulations! You have just installed Oracle Java on Ubuntu Linux!

This tutorial will cover the installation of 32-bit and 64-bit Oracle Java 7 (currently version number 1.7.0_25) JDK/JRE on 32-bit and 64-bit Ubuntu operating systems. These instructions will also work on Debian and Linux Mint.

If you already have Oracle Java 7 installed on your system, using this method but need to upgrade.

For those who only want to install Oracle Java JRE for running Java applications and not to develop Java programs.

For those who want to install Oracle Java JDK to develop Java programs and applications the Oracle JDK with the Oracle Java JRE included in the Oracle JDK.

Also to enable/upgrade the Oracle Java in your web browsers.

EditSteps

  1. 1
    Check to see if your Ubuntu Linux operating system architecture is 32-bit or 64-bit, open up a terminal and run the following command below.
    • Type/Copy/Paste: file /sbin/init
      • Note the bit version of your Ubuntu Linux operating system architecture it will display whether it is 32-bit or 64-bit.
  2. 2
    Check if you have Java installed on your system. To do this, you will have to run the Java version command from terminal.
    • Open up a terminal and enter the following command:
      • Type/Copy/Paste: java -version
    • If you have OpenJDK installed on your system it may look like this:
      • java version "1.7.0_15"
        OpenJDK Runtime Environment (IcedTea6 1.10pre) (7b15~pre1-0lucid1)
        OpenJDK 64-Bit Server VM (build 19.0-b09, mixed mode)
    • If you have OpenJDK installed on your system, you have the wrong vendor version of Java installed for this exercise.
  3. 3
    Completely remove the OpenJDK/JRE from your system and create a directory to hold your Oracle Java JDK/JRE binaries. This will prevent system conflicts and confusion between different vendor versions of Java. For example, if you have the OpenJDK/JRE installed on your system, you can remove it by typing the following at the command line:
    • Type/Copy/Paste: sudo apt-get purge openjdk-\*
      • This command will completely remove OpenJDK/JRE from your system
    • Type/Copy/Paste: sudo mkdir -p /usr/local/java
      • This command will create a directory to hold your Oracle Java JDK and JRE binaries.
  4. 4
    Download the Oracle Java JDK/JRE for Linux. Make sure you select the correct compressed binaries for your system architecture 32-bit or 64-bit (which end in tar.gz).
    • For example, if you are on Ubuntu Linux 32-bit operating system download 32-bit Oracle Java binaries.
    • For example, if you are on Ubuntu Linux 64-bit operating system download 64-bit Oracle Java binaries.
    • Optional, Download the Oracle Java JDK/JRE Documentation
      • Select jdk-7u25-apidocs.zip
    • Important Information: 64-bit Oracle Java binaries do not work on 32-bit Ubuntu Linux operating systems, you will receive multiple system error messages, if you attempt to install 64-bit Oracle Java on 32-bit Ubuntu Linux.
  5. 5
    Copy the Oracle Java binaries into the /usr/local/java directory. In most cases, the Oracle Java binaries are downloaded to: /home/"your_user_name"/Downloads.
    • 32-bit Oracle Java on 32-bit Ubuntu Linux installation instructions:
      • Type/Copy/Paste: cd /home/"your_user_name"/Downloads
      • Type/Copy/Paste: sudo cp -r jdk-7u25-linux-i586.tar.gz /usr/local/java
      • Type/Copy/Paste: sudo cp -r jre-7u25-linux-i586.tar.gz /usr/local/java
      • Type/Copy/Paste: cd /usr/local/java
    • 64-bit Oracle Java on 64-bit Ubuntu Linux installation instructions:
      • Type/Copy/Paste: cd /home/"your_user_name"/Downloads
      • Type/Copy/Paste: sudo cp -r jdk-7u25-linux-x64.tar.gz /usr/local/java
      • Type/Copy/Paste: sudo cp -r jre-7u25-linux-x64.tar.gz /usr/local/java
      • Type/Copy/Paste: cd /usr/local/java
  6. 6
    Unpack the compressed Java binaries, in the directory /usr/local/java
    • 32-bit Oracle Java on 32-bit Ubuntu Linux installation instructions:
      • Type/Copy/Paste: sudo tar xvzf jdk-7u25-linux-i586.tar.gz
      • Type/Copy/Paste: sudo tar xvzf jre-7u25-linux-i586.tar.gz
    • 64-bit Oracle Java on 64-bit Ubuntu Linux installation instructions:
      • Type/Copy/Paste: sudo tar xvzf jdk-7u25-linux-x64.tar.gz
      • Type/Copy/Paste: sudo tar xvzf jre-7u25-linux-x64.tar.gz
  7. 7
    Double-check your directories. At this point, you should have two uncompressed binary directories in /usr/local/java for the Java JDK/JRE listed as:
    • Type/Copy/Paste: ls -a
    • jdk1.7.0_25
    • jre1.7.0_25
  8. 8
    Edit the system PATH file /etc/profile and add the following system variables to your system path. Use nano, gedit or any other text editor, as root, open up /etc/profile.
    • Type/Copy/Paste: sudo gedit /etc/profile
    • or
    • Type/Copy/Paste: sudo nano /etc/profile
  9. 9
    Scroll down to the end of the file using your arrow keys and add the following lines below to the end of your /etc/profile file:
    • Type/Copy/Paste:

      JAVA_HOME=/usr/local/java/jdk1.7.0_25
      PATH=$PATH:$HOME/bin:$JAVA_HOME/bin
      JRE_HOME=/usr/local/java/jre1.7.0_25
      PATH=$PATH:$HOME/bin:$JRE_HOME/bin
      export JAVA_HOME
      export JRE_HOME
      export PATH
  10. 10
    Save the /etc/profile file and exit.
  11. 11
    Inform your Ubuntu Linux system where your Oracle Java JDK/JRE is located. This will tell the system that the new Oracle Java version is available for use.
    • Type/Copy/Paste: sudo update-alternatives –install "/usr/bin/java" "java" "/usr/local/java/jre1.7.0_25/bin/java" 1
      • this command notifies the system that Oracle Java JRE is available for use
    • Type/Copy/Paste: sudo update-alternatives –install "/usr/bin/javac" "javac" "/usr/local/java/jdk1.7.0_25/bin/javac" 1
      • this command notifies the system that Oracle Java JDK is available for use
    • Type/Copy/Paste: sudo update-alternatives –install "/usr/bin/javaws" "javaws" "/usr/local/java/jre1.7.0_25/bin/javaws" 1
      • this command notifies the system that Oracle Java Web start is available for use
  12. 12
    Inform your Ubuntu Linux system that Oracle Java JDK/JRE must be the default Java.
    • Type/Copy/Paste: sudo update-alternatives –set java /usr/local/java/jre1.7.0_25/bin/java
      • this command will set the java runtime environment for the system
    • Type/Copy/Paste: sudo update-alternatives –set javac /usr/local/java/jdk1.7.0_25/bin/javac
      • this command will set the javac compiler for the system
    • Type/Copy/Paste: sudo update-alternatives –set javaws /usr/local/java/jre1.7.0_25/bin/javaws
      • this command will set Java Web start for the system
  13. 13
    Reload your system wide PATH /etc/profile by typing the following command:
    • Type/Copy/Paste: . /etc/profile
    • Note your system-wide PATH /etc/profile file will reload after reboot of your Ubuntu Linux system
  14. 14
    Test to see if Oracle Java was installed correctly on your system. Run the following commands and note the version of Java:
  15. 15
    A successful installation of 32-bit Oracle Java will display:
    • Type/Copy/Paste: java -version
      • This command displays the version of java running on your system
    • You should receive a message which displays:
      • java version "1.7.0_25"
        Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.7.0_25-b25)
        Java HotSpot(TM) Server VM (build 23.1-b03, mixed mode)
    • Type/Copy/Paste: javac -version
      • This command lets you know that you are now able to compile Java programs from the terminal.
    • You should receive a message which displays:
      • javac 1.7.0_25
  16. 16
    A successful installation of Oracle Java 64-bit will display:
    • Type/Copy/Paste: java -version
      • This command displays the version of java running on your system
    • You should receive a message which displays:
      • java version "1.7.0_25"
        Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.7.0_25-b25)
        Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM (build 23.6-b04, mixed mode)
    • Type/Copy/Paste: javac -version
      • This command lets you know that you are now able to compile Java programs from the terminal.
    • You should receive a message which displays:
      • javac 1.7.0_25
  17. 17
    Congratulations, you just installed Oracle Java on your Linux system. Now reboot your Ubuntu Linux system. Afterwards, your system will be fully configured for running and developing Java programs. Later on you may want to try compiling and running your own Java programs by following this article How to Create your First Java Program on Ubuntu Linux

EditOptional: How to enable Oracle Java in your Web Browsers

  1. 1
    To enable your Java plug-in in your web browsers you must make a symbolic link from the web browsers plug-in directory to the location of the Java plug-in included in your distribution of Oracle Java.

Important Note: I would urge caution when enabling Oracle Java 7 in your web browsers, due to the fact there have been many numerous security flaws and exploits. Essentially, by enabling Oracle Java 7 in your web browsers if a security flaw or exploit is discovered this is how the bad guys break in and compromise your system. For more information on security flaws and exploits in Java see the following website: Java Tester

EditGoogle Chrome

32-bit Oracle Java instructions:

  1. 1
    Issue the following commands.
    • Type/Copy/Paste: sudo mkdir -p /opt/google/chrome/plugins
      • this will create a directory called /opt/google/chrome/plugins
    • Type/Paste/Copy: cd /opt/google/chrome/plugins
      • this will change you into the google chrome plugins directory,make sure you are in this directory before you make the symbolic link
    • Type/Paste/Copy: sudo ln -s /usr/local/java/jre1.7.0_25/lib/i386/libnpjp2.so
      • this will create a symbolic link from the Java JRE( Java Runtime Environment ) plugin libnpjp2.so to your Google Chrome web browser

64-bit Oracle Java instructions:

  1. 1
    Issue the following commands.
    • Type/Copy/Paste: sudo mkdir -p /opt/google/chrome/plugins
      • this will create a directory called /opt/google/chrome/plugins
    • Type/Paste/Copy: cd /opt/google/chrome/plugins
      • this will change you into the google chrome plugins directory,make sure you are in this directory before you make the symbolic link
    • Type/Paste/Copy: sudo ln -s /usr/local/java/jre1.7.0_25/lib/amd64/libnpjp2.so
      • this will create a symbolic link from the Java JRE( Java Runtime Environment ) plugin libnpjp2.so to your Google Chrome web browser

Reminders:

  1. 1
    Note: Sometimes when you issue the above command you may receive a message which states:
    • ln: creating symbolic link `./libnpjp2.so': File exists
    • To correct this issue simply remove the previous symbolic link using the following command:
    • Type/Copy/Paste: cd /opt/google/chrome/plugins
    • Type/Copy/Paste: sudo rm -rf libnpjp2.so
    • Make sure you are in the /opt/google/chrome/plugins directory before you issue the command
  2. 2
    Restart your web browser and go to Java Tester to test if Java is functioning in your web browser.

EditMozilla Firefox

32-bit Oracle Java instructions:

  1. 1
    Issue the following commands.
    • Type/Paste/Copy: cd /usr/lib/mozilla/plugins
      • this will change you into the directory /usr/lib/mozilla/plugins, create this directory if you do not have it
    • Type/Paste/Copy: sudo mkdir -p /usr/lib/mozilla/plugins
      • this will create the directory /usr/lib/mozilla/plugins, make sure you are in this directory before you make the symbolic link
    • Type/Paste/Copy: sudo ln -s /usr/local/java/jre1.7.0_25/lib/i386/libnpjp2.so
      • this will create a symbolic link from the Java JRE( Java Runtime Environment ) plugin libnpjp2.so to your Mozilla Firefox web browser

64-bit Oracle Java instructions:

  1. 1
    Issue the following commands.
    • Type/Paste/Copy: cd /usr/lib/mozilla/plugins
      • this will change you into the directory /usr/lib/mozilla/plugins, create this directory if you do not have it
    • Type/Paste/Copy: sudo mkdir -p /usr/lib/mozilla/plugins
      • this will create the directory /usr/lib/mozilla/plugins, make sure you are in this directory before you make the symbolic link
    • Type/Paste/Copy: sudo ln -s /usr/local/java/jre1.7.0_25/lib/amd64/libnpjp2.so
      • this will create a symbolic link from the Java JRE( Java Runtime Environment ) plugin libnpjp2.so to your Mozilla Firefox web browser

Reminders:

  1. 1
    Note: Sometimes when you issue the above command you may receive a message which states:
    • ln: creating symbolic link `./libnpjp2.so': File exists
    • To correct this issue simply remove the previous symbolic link using the following command:
    • Type/Copy/Paste: cd /usr/lib/mozilla/plugins
    • Type/Copy/Paste: sudo rm -rf libnpjp2.so
    • Make sure you are in the /usr/lib/mozilla/plugins directory before you issue the command
  2. 2
    Restart your web browser and go to Java Tester to test if Java is functioning in your web browser.

EditTips

  • With Ubuntu Linux, you have the choice of whether to use OpenJDK, which is a free and open-source implementation of the Java programming language, or to use Oracle Java JDK and JRE. Some prefer to use Oracle Java (as it is the most up-to-date version of Java and it comes directly from the maintainers of Java technology), but this varies.
  • Please note that this document is in continual revision because Oracle sometimes changes the installation method of their Java JDK/JRE binaries.
  • Keep in mind that Oracle makes security upgrades and bug fixes and enhances performance issues for each new release of Oracle Java. When installing Oracle Java on your system, be aware of the version number changes. See How to Upgrade Oracle Java on Ubuntu Linux for more information.

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