setting java 18 on my iMac as default version from java 8

Question

so, I got a new external monitor for my iMac, and was downloading the latest Java -- java18 -- from java 8. I hadn't used the machine for years, but since getting my new monitor a couple weeks ago, I'm happy to know that I can still use it. I had written it off after the backlight went out, but lo and behold, the machine stills works fine.

Anyway, I downloaded Java 18 from the oracle website, installed it with no problem, but when I go the terminal app and enter java -version it still says java 1.8 (java 8). I looked in the java folder in the library directory, and sure enough the java 18 folder is there, but for some reason it won't or doesn't 'see' it as the current/default java version.

Anyone out there have any help to give? I'm not sure what terminal commands to use to make this the default version. maybe because it's so far from the version that was on there. Can anyone help me out? The machine is a 2010 iMac 11,6 running El Capitan, and I want to use it while it lasts, as I gradually switch over to Linux.

The machine still works great, and the latest version that was on it before this download was java 8. I'm not at the machine right now, so i'll have to look at this over the next few days.

Answer 1

You need to add in ~/.profile file (create it, if doesn't exist), the setting of JAVA_HOME environment variable, pointing to your Java18 installation directory:

JAVA_HOME=/Path/to/Java18
export JAVA_HOME;

source: http://www.sajeconsultants.com/how-to-set-java_home-on-mac-os-x/

In case of failure, try to do the same but in the files: ~/.base_profile ~/.zshrc source: https://www.developerlibs.com/2022/06/java-environment-path-setup-windows-linux-Mac.html