How To Install Oracle Java 8 in Ubuntu 16.04

Pre-Flight Check

1. Open the terminal and log in as root.  If you are logged in as another user, you will need to add sudo before each command.
2. Working on a Linux Ubuntu 16.04 server
3. No installations of previous Java versions

Install Oracle Java 8

Step 1:  Update & Upgrade

It is advised to update your system by copy and pasting the command below.  Be sure to accept the update by typing Y when asked to continue:

apt-get update && apt-get upgrade

 

Step 2: Install the Repository

WebUpd8 Team Personal Package Archive (PPA), a third party repository,  allows us to download the package necessary for Java 8 installation.  Press Enter to continue the installation.

add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/java

Once again, update your package list.

apt-get update

 

Step 3: Install Java 8

Use the apt-get command to install Oracle’s Java 8 via their installer:

apt-get install oracle-java8-installer

 

Click Y to continue and press Enter to agree to the licensing agreement.

Select Yes and hit the Enter key.

Step 4: Verify Java 8 is Installed

java -version

Output:

java version "1.8.0_181"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.8.0_181-b13)
Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM (build 25.181-b13, mixed mode)

 

Set Java’s Home Environment

It’s essential to know the path of our Java installation for our applications to function. Where is Java installed? Run this command to find its path:update-alternatives --config java

Output:

~# update-alternatives --config java
There is 1 choice for the alternative java (providing /usr/bin/java).
Selection Path Priority Status
------------------------------------------------------------
0 /usr/lib/jvm/java-8-oracle/jre/bin/java 1081 auto mode
* 1 /usr/lib/jvm/java-8-oracle/jre/bin/java 1081 manual mode

 

Copy the highlighted path from the second row: /usr/lib/jvm/java-8-oracle/jre/bin/java/.  After copying, open the file /etc/environment and add in the path of your Java installation to the end of your file.

vim /etc/environment

JAVA_HOME="/usr/lib/jvm/java-8-oracle/jre/bin/java"

 

Save the file by hitting ESC button and type :wq to execute the command below to recognize the changes to the file:

source /etc/environment

 

You should now see the path of installation when using the $Java_Home variable:

echo $JAVA_HOME

Output:

~# echo $JAVA_HOME
/usr/lib/jvm/java-8-oracle/jre/bin/java