How to Install Oracle Java 17 on Linux Mint 21 or 20

For those eager to harness the capabilities of Oracle Java 17 on their Linux Mint system, understanding its features and benefits is crucial. Oracle Java 17, a long-term support (LTS) release, is a testament to Oracle’s commitment to innovation and the evolution of the Java programming language. Whether you’re running Linux Mint 21 or its predecessor, Linux Mint 20, this guide will illuminate the path to installing this pivotal Java release.

Oracle Java 17: A Snapshot of Key Features and Enhancements

  • Sealed Classes (JEP 397): This update introduces sealed classes and interfaces, allowing developers to dictate which classes or interfaces may extend or implement them, ensuring tighter control over code.
  • New macOS Rendering Pipeline (JEP 382): Tailored for macOS users, this feature, based on Apple’s Metal API, optimizes the efficiency of user interfaces on macOS.
  • Foreign Function and Memory API (JEP 412): A groundbreaking API that empowers Java programs to interact with functions and data outside the Java heap, ushering in notable performance enhancements.
  • Strong Encapsulation of JDK Internals (JEP 403): To bolster Java’s security and maintainability by curbing unauthorized access to the Java Development Kit (JDK) internals.
  • Deprecation of the Security Manager (JEP 411): A pivotal shift in Java’s security landscape, this deprecation signals a transition to alternative security measures as developers are urged to adapt.

Oracle Java 17’s rich feature set and improvements highlight Oracle’s unwavering dedication to Java’s growth. These enhancements promise to refine the developer experience, boost performance, and fortify security, solidifying Java’s position in the modern software development landscape.

In the subsequent sections, we’ll delve into how to install Oracle Java 17 on Linux Mint 21 or 20, ensuring you’re equipped to tap into the myriad benefits of this latest Java iteration.

Install Oracle Java 17 on Linux Mint 21 or 20 via APT PPA

This segment will focus on the step-by-step process to successfully install the Oracle Java 17 JDK. A prominent method to achieve this task involves using the ppa:linuxuprising/java repository, renowned for its comprehensive Java packages.

Step 1: Add the PPA Repository on Linux Mint

To initiate this process, we must first add the ppa:linuxuprising/java repository to our system’s list of app sources. Execute the command below in your terminal:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:linuxuprising/java -y

This command requests the specified PPA repository and integrates it into your system’s database of available software sources. This is essential to make the required Java 17 package available for installation.

Step 2: Update the APT Package List for Oracle Java on Linux Mint

After successfully adding the PPA repository, we must ensure our system’s package lists are current. This involves updating the APT package list to recognize and reflect the newly added PPA repository. To do this, execute the apt update command as shown:

sudo apt update

This operation will not only ensure the accurate representation of the Java 17 PPA repository in your source list. Still, it will also synchronize your system’s package cache with the server’s most recent updates.

Step 3: Install Oracle Java 17 on Linux Mint 21 or 20

Now that our system knows the new repository, we can install the Oracle Java 17 JDK. Execute the following command to initiate the installation process:

sudo apt install oracle-java17-installer oracle-java17-set-default

This command calls for the apt package manager to install Oracle Java 17 JDK from the repository we’ve just added. It also ensures that Java 17 becomes the default Java version for your system.

You must accept Oracle’s licensing terms and conditions during the installation process. Ensure to review and accept these terms to facilitate a smooth installation. Accepting these terms is vital to maintain compliance with Oracle’s licensing agreement and circumvent potential installation issues.

Screenshot of the license terms warning during Oracle Java 17 installation on Linux Mint 21 or 20.
Ensure you read and accept the license terms before proceeding with the Oracle Java 17 installation on Linux Mint 21 or 20.
Screenshot highlighting the 'yes' option to accept Oracle Java 17 license terms on Linux Mint 21 or 20.
Click ‘yes’ to agree with the license terms and continue the Oracle Java 17 installation on Linux Mint 21 or 20.

Step 4: Confirm Successful Installation of Oracle Java 17 on Linux Mint 21 or 20

Once the installation concludes, verifying the operation’s success is important. This is done by checking the installed Java version on your system. To do so, run the --version command as follows:

java --version

The output of this command will reveal the Java version currently active on your system.

Install Oracle Java 17 on Linux Mint 21 or 20 via .deb

In the world of Linux, several efficient paths lead to the same destination. If you’re more inclined towards using Debian packages, this section outlines a straightforward approach to installing Oracle Java 17 using the .deb package.

Step 1: Download the Oracle Java 17 .deb Package on Linux Mint

The first stage of this journey is to acquire the .deb package for Oracle Java 17. You can conveniently do this through the wget command, a utility designed for non-interactive downloading files from the web. It supports HTTP, HTTPS, and FTP protocols and retrieves files through HTTP proxies.

Here’s the command to download the Oracle Java 17 .deb package using wget:

wget https://download.oracle.com/java/17/latest/jdk-17_linux-x64_bin.deb

The command above communicates with the specified URL and downloads the Java 17 Debian package directly onto your system. Now, you are ready to move on to the installation process.

Step 2: Install Oracle Java 17 on Linux Mint 21 or 20 via dpkg

Once the .deb package is downloaded, the next course of action is to install Oracle Java 17 using the dpkg command. The dpkg tool provides an easy and efficient way to install, remove, and manage Debian packages on your Linux Mint system.

Before running the dpkg command, ensure you’re in the directory where the downloaded .deb package resides. To install Java, execute the following command:

sudo dpkg -i jdk-17_linux-x64_bin.deb

This command calls for the dpkg utility to install the specified .deb package. The -i flag signals that we intend to install a package. The installation process may vary in duration, depending on the package size and your system’s processing speed.

Step 3: Verify the Installation of Oracle Java 17 on Linux Mint

Upon successfully installing Oracle Java 17, confirming that the correct Java version has been set up on your system is prudent. You can do this by checking the installed Java version using the --version command. Here’s how:

java --version

This command displays the version of Java active on your system. If the installation went as planned, it should indicate Java 17, verifying that Oracle Java 17 JDK is correctly installed.

Install Oracle Java 17 on Linux Mint 21 or 20 via Archive Download

Step 1: Download the Oracle Java 17 Archive on Linux Mint

Your first task is to acquire the Oracle Java 17 archive. An effective way to accomplish this is via the curl command. This tool lets you download files from a server using multiple protocols, including HTTP and FTP.

Before proceeding, ensure that curl is installed on your system. If not, you can install it with this command:

sudo apt install curl

Now, armed with curl, you can download the Oracle Java 17 archive:

curl  -O https://download.oracle.com/java/17/latest/jdk-17_linux-x64_bin.tar.gz

This command calls curl to download the specified archive onto your system.

Step 2: Extract the Oracle Java 17 Archive on Linux Mint

After downloading the archive, you’ll need to extract it. The tar command, combined with certain flags, can accomplish this. Here’s the command to extract the archive:

tar -xvf jdk-17_linux-x64_bin.tar.gz

This action unpacks the contents of the Oracle Java 17 archive, setting the stage for the subsequent installation steps.

Step 3: Navigate to the Extracted Directory and Install OpenJDK 17 Files on Linux Mint

The next step requires you to maneuver into the directory where the archive was extracted:

cd <directory_name>

Inside the directory, execute the following commands to move the Java 17 files to the appropriate directory:

sudo mkdir -p /usr/local/jdk-17
sudo mv * /usr/local/jdk-17

Step 4: Setup Oracle Java 17 Environment Variables on Linux Mint

After placing the files in the correct directory, setting up the environment variables is time. This process allows your system to recognize where Java is installed and how to interact. To do this, add the following lines to your .bashrc or .bash_profile file:

export JAVA_HOME=/usr/local/jdk-17
export PATH=$JAVA_HOME/bin:$PATH

To activate the changes made to your environment variables, you need to source the .bashrc or .bash_profile file. This is achieved with the following command:

source ~/.bashrc

Step 5: Verify the Installation of Oracle Java 17 on Linux Mint

As a final step, it’s prudent to confirm that Oracle Java 17 is correctly installed and that your environment variables are correctly set. You can do this by checking the installed Java version and the JAVA_HOME variable:

java --version
echo $JAVA_HOME

If everything is correctly done, the output will display the Java version and the path to the Java installation, signifying a successful installation and setup process. This manual installation gives you fine-grained control over your Java development environment, which can be advantageous based on your specific use case.

Test Java Installation: Create Java Application on Linux Mint 21 or 20

Having successfully installed Oracle Java 17 on your Linux Mint system, the next imperative step is to verify the functionality of your setup. A preferred method is to author a small yet fun Java application. This validates the installation and introduces you to creating, compiling, and executing Java applications on Linux Mint.

Step 1: Scripting the First Java Application on Linux Mint

You must create a new Java file using a text editor to kick things off. The nano text editor is a common choice due to its simplicity and ease of use. You can create a new file, named Greeting.java, using the following command:

sudo nano Greeting.java

In the newly created file, you can script a Java application. Here’s an example of a straightforward application that will display a jovial greeting when executed:

public class Greeting {
  public static void main(String[] args) {
    System.out.println("Greetings from the Linux Mint universe!");
  }
}

Save the file by pressing CTRL+O and then exit the text editor using CTRL+X.

Step 2: Compile and Execute the Java Application on Linux Mint

Once your code is ready, it’s time to compile it. Java runs a two-step process: first compiling to bytecode, then executing the bytecode. This is done with the javac command:

javac Greeting.java

If your code doesn’t contain any errors, this command will create a file called Greeting.class containing the Java bytecode.

Next, to execute the bytecode and see your crafted message, use the java command:

java Greeting

You should see the output: Greetings from the Linux Mint universe!, indicating that the application has successfully run and your Java installation functions correctly.

Step 3: Exploring Further With a Second Java Application

To further validate the functionality of your Java development environment, creating and testing another Java application is advisable. This activity solidifies your understanding and confidence in handling Java on Linux Mint.

Create another file, Farewell.java, and insert this simple piece of code:

public class Farewell {
  public static void main(String[] args) {
    System.out.println("Until next time, Linux Mint universe!");
  }
}

Compile and run this program the same way as before:

javac Farewell.java
java Farewell

The output will be: Until next time, Linux Mint universe!, once again, confirming the successful operation of your Java development environment.

By creating and testing these two simple applications, you’ve proven your Java environment’s functionality and become more acquainted with creating, compiling, and running Java programs on Linux Mint. You’re now ready to tackle more complex Java development tasks.

Closing Remarks

This comprehensive guide illustrated the steps to set up Oracle’s Java 17 version on a Linux Mint system. This highly sought-after version of Java was installed using a manual method, which enables enhanced control and customization options tailored to the user’s specific needs and preferences. We also highlighted the importance of testing the setup post-installation through the creation and execution of fun Java applications. The successful execution of these applications signifies that you have correctly installed Java on your Linux Mint system and are ready to explore the Java world further.

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