kevinlinxp
12/31/2016 - 8:48 AM

Java:multiple-versions-on-mac

Java:multiple-versions-on-mac

Java:multiple-versions-on-mac.md
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Solution 1 - DIY

  • Install multiple JDK Uninstall jdk8, install jdk7, then reinstall jdk8.

  • To switch between them, add the following to .profile

export JAVA_8_HOME=$(/usr/libexec/java_home -v1.8)
export JAVA_7_HOME=$(/usr/libexec/java_home -v1.7)

alias java7='export JAVA_HOME=$JAVA_7_HOME'
alias java8='export JAVA_HOME=$JAVA_8_HOME'

#default java8
export JAVA_HOME=$JAVA_8_HOME
  • Then you can simply type java7 or java8 in a terminal to switch versions.

Solution 2 - Homebrew

Use homebrew-cask to install the versions of java, and use jenv to manage the installed versions of java

As seen on http://hanxue-it.blogspot.ch/2014/05/installing-java-8-managing-multiple.html, these are the steps to follow.

  1. install homebrew
  2. install homebrew jenv
  3. install homebrew-cask
  4. install a specific java version using cask (see "homebrew-cask versions" paragraph below)
  5. add this version for jenv to manage it
  6. check the version is correctly managed by jenv

Repeat steps 4 to 6 for each version of java you need

homebrew-cask versions

Add the "caskroom/versions" tap to homebrew using:

brew tap caskroom/versions

Then you can look at all the versions available:

brew cask search java

Then you can install the version(s) you like:

brew cask install java7
brew cask install java6

And add them to be managed by jenv as usual.

jenv add <javaVersionPathHere>

I think this is the cleanest & simplest way to go about it.

Another important thing to note, as mentioned in Mac OS X 10.6.7 Java Path Current JDK confusing

For different types of JDKs or installations, you will have different paths

On Mac OS X Mavericks, I found as following:

  1. Built-in JRE default: /Library/Internet/Plug-Ins/JavaAppletPlugin.plugin/Contents/Home

  2. JDKs downloaded from Apple: /System/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/1.6.0.jdk/Contents/Home/

  3. JDKs downloaded from Oracle: /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk1.8.0_11.jdk/Contents/Home

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