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Kwaku Duah
Kwaku Duah

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JDK Setup On Linux, Windows, Mac

#java #jdk #javaprogramming #webdev

🚀 Setting Up JDK on Windows, macOS, and Linux – Complete Guide

If you're starting out with Java programming, your first essential step is to install the Java Development Kit (JDK). The JDK contains all the tools required to compile, debug, and run Java programs.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through the JDK setup process on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and also show you how to run your first Java program!

🪟 1. Setting Up JDK on Windows

✅ Step 1: Download the JDK

Go to either the Oracle JDK or OpenJDK site.

Choose the correct installer (e.g., jdk-21_windows-x64_bin.exe) for your system.

✅ Step 2: Install the JDK

  • Run the installer and follow the prompts.
  • Accept the license agreement and select the default installation path: C:\Program Files\Java\jdk-<version>.

✅ Step 3: Set Environment Variables

To run Java from the command line, add the JDK bin directory to your PATH.

  1. Open System Properties → Advanced → Environment Variables
  2. Under System Variables, edit the Path variable.
  3. Add: 
   C:\Program Files\Java\jdk-<version>\bin
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✅ Step 4: Verify Installation

Open Command Prompt and run:

java -version
javac -version
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🍎 2. Setting Up JDK on macOS

✅ Step 1: Download the JDK

Head over to Oracle or Adoptium and download the .dmg file for macOS.

✅ Step 2: Install the JDK

Double-click the .dmg and follow the wizard.

JDK will be installed in /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/.

✅ Step 3: Set Environment Variables

Edit your shell config file based on your terminal:

nano ~/.zshrc     # For zsh users
nano ~/.bash_profile   # For bash users
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Add these lines:

export JAVA_HOME=$(/usr/libexec/java_home)
export PATH=$JAVA_HOME/bin:$PATH
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Reload config:

source ~/.zshrc
# or
source ~/.bash_profile
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✅ Step 4: Verify Installation 

java -version
javac -version
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🐧 3. Setting Up JDK on Linux

✅ Step 1: Install via Terminal

Ubuntu/Debian:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install openjdk-21-jdk
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Fedora/CentOS/RHEL:

sudo dnf install java-21-openjdk-devel
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Arch Linux:

sudo pacman -S jdk21-openjdk
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✅ Step 2: Configure JAVA_HOME

Edit your shell config file:

nano ~/.bashrc    # or ~/.zshrc
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Add:

export JAVA_HOME=$(dirname $(dirname $(readlink -f $(which javac))))
export PATH=$JAVA_HOME/bin:$PATH
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Then reload:

source ~/.bashrc
# or
source ~/.zshrc
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✅ Step 3: Verify Installation 

java -version
javac -version
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💻 Writing and Running Your First Java Program

✍️ Step 1: Create a Java File

Save this as HelloWorld.java:

public class HelloWorld {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        System.out.println("Hello, World!");
    }
}
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⚙️ Step 2: Compile the Program 

javac HelloWorld.java
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This creates a HelloWorld.class file.

▶️ Step 3: Run the Program 

java HelloWorld
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You should see:

Hello, World!
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📚 Bonus: Intro to Data Structures & Algorithms (DSA) in Java

Now that your JDK is ready, here’s a glimpse of what you can build next:

🔢 Basic Data Structures:

  • Arrays: Linear collection of items in memory.
  • Linked Lists: Nodes with data + pointer to the next.
  • Stacks: LIFO structure.
  • Queues: FIFO structure.
  • Hash Tables: Key-value mappings.
  • Trees: Hierarchical structure (Binary Tree, BST).
  • Graphs: Nodes + edges (great for pathfinding, social networks, etc.).

⚙️ Basic Algorithms:

  • Sorting: Bubble, Merge, Quick.
  • Searching: Linear, Binary.
  • Traversal: DFS, BFS (especially useful in trees and graphs).

Mastering DSA is essential for technical interviews and solving real-world coding challenges.

🎉 Conclusion

Setting up the JDK is your gateway into the powerful world of Java. Whether you're building full-stack web apps, preparing for coding interviews, or diving into open-source projects—this setup will serve as your foundation.

If you found this guide helpful, consider following me on Dev.to for more tutorials on Python, Java, and full-stack development.

Happy coding! 💻⚡

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