User:Brunovernay/Java

Proposed new Java page. See this "discussion" for the rationale.

Java

Java relates to:

• Communities: the https://www.jcp.org/ to define the platform, but also User Groups https://community.oracle.com/community/java/jug
• Platforms (JVM, JRE ...) to run applications on PC, mobiles, embedded devices https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Java_(software_platform)
• Programming languages (Java is the most popular, but there are Scala, Groovy, Clojure ...) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Java_(programming_language)

If you came here because an application ask for Java (or JRE, JVM) to be installed, then simply install Java.

If it still does not work or the application ask specifically for Oracle Java: See here #Oracle version.

If you want to develop, code, on the Java Platform: See Development. (careful to change the link for production)

JRE JDK JVM JSE ...

Some vocabulary:

• JRE Java Runtime Environment. Required to run Java code and applications. Install Java.
• JVM Java Virtual Machine. Main component of the JRE.
• JDK Java Development Kit. Required only for development, coding.
• SDK Software Development Kit. idem JDK
• OpenJDK Open Source project behind the Java Platform http://openjdk.java.net/.
• IcedTea Obsolete name for OpenJDK
• JSE,J2SE, JEE ... obsolete acronyms for Java Standard & Enterprise Edition. JavaSE is like JRE.

Multiple implementations

Fedora provides the Free OpenJDK Java. If this Open Source stack does not fulfil your requirements. Alternatives can be installed alongside or separately.

The Java Community Process defines the specifications of the platform that many implements (IBM J9, Jikes, Zing, Zulu Dalvik ...). We will only focus on Oracle here.

Multiple implementations can be installed side-by-side without interfering:

• The [alternative] system allows to switch from one to another.
• An application can directly reference a specific Java installation
• Some applications include a java platform, it is then transparent for the user. (But the package is bigger.)

Oracle version

Some applications still ask for Oracle's implementation. It is mostly based on the OpenJDK Open Source project, but there are some non-free code and Fedora does not package non-free softwares.

Oracle provides the RPM packages: https://java.com/en/download/help/linux_rpm.xml

...

Switching alternatives

Switching is done using the Alternatives system (also used to change some other subsystems). Java's subsystem name is surprisingly java and typical commands include:

# alternatives --display java

# alternatives --config java

See alternative's own documentation for more information for usage and parts involved.

Should be noted that JRE implementations installed outside Fedora distribution, may not support alternatives and thus not be visible there. Then the symbolic links under directory /etc/alternatives must be manually fixed.

Java packages in Fedora

• JavaFX (?) JavaFX is supposed to be merged in Java 8. Why is there a specific package??