How to Compile Java 6 on Fedora 17 Using OpenJDK

What are the steps to compile a Java 6 application on Fedora 17 using OpenJDK?

Compiling Java applications on Fedora 17 using OpenJDK can be achieved by following a few straightforward steps. Java 6 support is crucial for maintaining legacy applications, and OpenJDK offers a reliable development environment. This guide walks you through the process of compiling Java 6 using OpenJDK on your Fedora 17 system.

// Example simple Java program
public class HelloWorld {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        System.out.println("Hello, World!");
    }
} 
// Compile the Java file
// Command:
javac HelloWorld.java 
// Run the compiled program
// Command:
java HelloWorld

Causes

• Lack of OpenJDK installation on Fedora 17
• Incorrect Java version not set as default
• Missing JAVA_HOME environment variable setup

Solutions

• Install OpenJDK 6 using the package manager with the command: `sudo yum install java-1.6.0-openjdk-devel`
• Set the default Java version using: `sudo alternatives --config java`
• Add your Java Home to the .bashrc file by adding the line: `export JAVA_HOME=/usr/lib/jvm/java-1.6.0-openjdk`

Mistake: Not installing the correct version of OpenJDK for Java 6

Solution: Ensure you install the OpenJDK 6 package by running `sudo yum install java-1.6.0-openjdk-devel`.

Mistake: Forgetting to set JAVA_HOME environment variable

Solution: Make sure to include the JAVA_HOME path in your .bashrc or .bash_profile and run `source ~/.bashrc` to apply changes.