Java Download: Install Java JDK and Set Up JAVA_HOME

Java remains one of the most widely used programming languages in the world, essential for everything from web development to Android apps. Whether you’re a student, developer, or tech enthusiast, learning how to properly install Java is key to getting started. In this guide, we’ll walk through the complete process of Java download, installing the Java Development Kit (JDK), and setting up your Java environment variables across Windows, macOS, and Linux.

What is Java JDK and Why Do You Need It?

Java is a high-level, object-oriented programming language known for its platform independence and scalability. It runs on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), which makes it possible to write code once and run it anywhere.

To develop Java applications, you need the Java Development Kit (JDK), which includes tools like the compiler (javac) and runtime libraries. To simply run Java applications, the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) is sufficient, but it’s bundled with the JDK starting from Java 9 onwards.

How to Download Java JDK

To get started, download the latest stable version of Java. At the time of writing, Java 21 is the latest LTS (Long-Term Support) version.

🔗 Official Java JDK Download Page:

👉 https://www.oracle.com/java/technologies/javase-downloads.html
👉 https://jdk.java.net (for OpenJDK)

Choose the appropriate version for your operating system (Windows, macOS, Linux).

Java Download and Installation on Windows

🔽 Step 1: Download JDK for Windows

• Visit the Oracle Java SE download page.
• Select your version (e.g., Java 21).
• Download the .exe installer for Windows.

⚙️ Step 2: Install JDK

• Run the installer.
• Follow the default installation steps.
• JDK typically installs in C:\Program Files\Java\jdk-.

🌐 Step 3: Set Environment Variables (How to Set Environment Varraible for Java in Windows)

1. Search for “Environment Variables” in the Start menu.
2. Under System Properties > Advanced > Environment Variables:
   • Click New under System Variables:
     • Variable name: JAVA_HOME
     • Variable value: C:\Program Files\Java\jdk-
   • Edit the Path variable and add below in the end:
     • Add: %JAVA_HOME%\bin

✅ Verify Installation

Open Command Prompt and run:

bash
java -version
javac -version

📷 Suggested Image: Screenshot of Java installation on Windows and environment variable setup

🍏 Java Download and Installation on macOS | java download mac

🔽 Step 1: Download JDK for macOS

• Visit the Oracle download page.
• Download the .dmg file for macOS.

⚙️ Step 2: Install JDK

• Double-click the .dmg file and follow the installation wizard.

JDK is installed in /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk-.jdk/Contents/Home.

🌐 Step 3: Set JAVA_HOME in macOS (How to Set Environment Varraible for Java in macOS)

Edit your shell configuration file:

• For zsh (macOS default as of Catalina):

bash
nano ~/.zshrc

• Add the following line:

bash
export JAVA_HOME=/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk-.jdk/Contents/Home
export PATH=$JAVA_HOME/bin:$PATH

• Save and run:

bash
source ~/.zshrc

✅ Verify Installation

bash
java -version
javac -version

📷 Suggested Image: Terminal view of macOS with Java setup and JAVA_HOME path

🐧 Java Download and Installation on Linux (Ubuntu/Debian)

🔽 Option 1: Use APT for OpenJDK (Recommended)

bash
sudo apt update
sudo apt install openjdk-21-jdk

🔽 Option 2: Manual Install

• Download the .tar.gz file from https://jdk.java.net.
• Extract it:

bash
tar -xvzf openjdk-21_linux-x64_bin.tar.gz
sudo mv jdk-21 /opt/

🌐 Step 3: Set JAVA_HOME (How to Set Environment Varraible for Java in Linux/Ubuntu)

Edit your profile or shell file:

bash
sudo nano /etc/environment

Add:

bash
JAVA_HOME="/opt/jdk-21"
PATH="$JAVA_HOME/bin:$PATH"

Apply the changes:

bash
source /etc/environment

✅ Verify Installation

bash
java -version
javac -version

📷 Suggested Image: Terminal showing Java download and setup on Linux

🔁 Java Version Manager (Optional Tip)

To manage multiple versions of Java:

• Windows: Use tools like jEnv for Windows
• macOS/Linux: Use jEnv

These help you switch between Java 8, 11, 17, and newer versions like Java 21 easily.

🧠 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

❓ Which Java version should I download?

If you’re unsure, Java 17 or Java 21 (LTS) is recommended for most use cases.

❓ Do I need both JDK and JRE?

As of Java 9+, JRE is included in the JDK, so you only need to download the JDK.

❓ How do I uninstall Java?

• Windows: Use “Add or Remove Programs”.
• macOS/Linux: Remove the installation directory and update environment variables.

Conclusion

Installing Java is the first step in your journey to build robust applications. With this guide, you’ve learned how to perform a Java download, install the Java JDK, and set up your system’s environment variables on Windows, macOS, and Linux.

Always make sure your environment is correctly configured, especially if you plan to use IDEs like IntelliJ IDEA, Eclipse, or VS Code.

Read More :

Learn More on Java Runtime Environment

What is Java Development Kit (JDK) ?

What is Java Virtual Machine – How JVM Works ?