Installing Java 17 May 2026
javac Test.java java Test Expected output:
Compile and run:
sudo apt update sudo apt install openjdk-17-jdk Many Java tools (Maven, Gradle, Tomcat) rely on the JAVA_HOME variable. The Windows .msi installer often sets this automatically. Check using: installing java 17
echo %JAVA_HOME% If empty, add it manually via System Properties > Environment Variables. javac Test
Add this to your ~/.bashrc , ~/.zshrc , or ~/.profile file: Add this to your ~/
export JAVA_HOME=$(/usr/libexec/java_home) # macOS only # OR for Linux: export JAVA_HOME=/usr/lib/jvm/java-17-openjdk-amd64 export PATH=$JAVA_HOME/bin:$PATH Then reload: source ~/.bashrc Create a simple Java program to confirm everything works. Save the following as Test.java :
Java 17 is a Long-Term Support (LTS) release, meaning it comes with several years of stability, security updates, and bug fixes. Whether you're a beginner setting up your first development environment or a professional maintaining a production system, installing Java 17 is straightforward.