How to Install OpenJDK 21 on Ubuntu 24.04

Install OpenJDK 21

Installing OpenJDK 21 on Ubuntu 24.04 is simple using the terminal. You can get the latest Java Development Kit directly from Ubuntu’s software sources with a single command.

To install OpenJDK 21, run the command below.

sudo apt update
sudo apt install openjdk-21-jdk

After installing all the packages, run the command below to configure Ubuntu so that OpenJDK can function properly, including setting the JAVA_HOME variable and the environment PATH.

sudo tee -a /etc/profile.d/java.sh <<'EOF'
export JAVA_HOME=$(dirname $(dirname $(readlink $(readlink $(which java)))))
export PATH=$PATH:$JAVA_HOME/bin
EOF

Activate the script by running the command below.

sudo -s
source /etc/profile.d/java.sh

Test OpenJDK

After you install OpenJDK 21, it’s smart to check if it’s working right. You can easily test your OpenJDK installation by opening the terminal and typing a quick command to see the version details.

java --version

It should output similar lines shown below.

openjdk 21.0.6 2025-01-21
OpenJDK Runtime Environment (build 21.0.6+7-Ubuntu-124.04.1)
OpenJDK 64-Bit Server VM (build 21.0.6+7-Ubuntu-124.04.1, mixed mode, sharing)

OpenJDK is installed and ready to use.

Choose the default

If you have multiple Java versions on your Ubuntu system, you can pick which one your computer uses by default. Using a simple terminal command, you can easily switch between your installed Java versions.

sudo update-alternatives --config java

Select the Java version you wish to use as the default.

  Selection    Path                                         Priority   Status
------------------------------------------------------------
* 0            /usr/lib/jvm/java-21-openjdk-amd64/bin/java   2111      auto mode
  1            /usr/lib/jvm/java-17-openjdk-amd64/bin/java   1711      manual mode
  2            /usr/lib/jvm/java-21-openjdk-amd64/bin/java   2111      manual mode

Press <enter> to keep the current choice[*], or type selection number: 

Also run the command below to choose the default javac version.

sudo update-alternatives --config javac

Choose the javac version you want to set as default.

  Selection    Path                                          Priority   Status
------------------------------------------------------------
* 0            /usr/lib/jvm/java-21-openjdk-amd64/bin/javac   2111      auto mode
  1            /usr/lib/jvm/java-17-openjdk-amd64/bin/javac   1711      manual mode
  2            /usr/lib/jvm/java-21-openjdk-amd64/bin/javac   2111      manual mode

Press <enter> to keep the current choice[*], or type selection number: 

That should do it!

Conclusion:

In summary, installing OpenJDK 21 on Ubuntu 24.04 is a straightforward process that allows developers to harness the power of Java for application development. Here are the key takeaways:

• OpenJDK 21 provides a comprehensive set of tools necessary for Java development, including the Java compiler and runtime.
• The installation involves simple commands executed through the terminal, utilizing Ubuntu’s default repositories.
• Configuring the JAVA_HOME variable and updating the environment PATH ensures proper functionality of the OpenJDK installation.
• You can verify the installation with the java --version command to ensure everything is set up correctly.
• Managing multiple OpenJDK versions is seamless using the update-alternatives command, allowing for flexibility in development environments.

Following these steps, you can effectively set up and manage OpenJDK on your Ubuntu system, which is ready for your Java development needs.