Install Sun Java

GNU/Linux Desktop Survival Guide
by Graham Williams

Install Sun Java

The java-package Debian package will go through the process of installing Sun's Java distribution. It supplies the command make-jpkg to do this.

Obtain, for example, jdk-1_5_0_06-linux-i586.bin (this is the J2SE kit) from http://java.sun.com. It is a 46MB file so over a modem that could be 3 hours or so!

Once available turn it into a Debian package:

$ fakeroot make-jpkg jdk-1_5_0_06-linux-i586.bin

You will be asked for a Maintainer name for the package (you can give your name) and an email address (again, use your own). These are just pieces of information for the packaging, and have no consequence. The debian package that is generated can then be installed:

$ wajig install sun-j2sdk1.5_1.5.0+update06_i386.deb

The manual approach for this (with an older Java version) is to save the file into /usr/local/. Then

# sh j2sdk-1_4_2_03-linux-i586.bin

To accept the license type yes and the installation will begin. This will create a new directory in /usr/local/ with the name j2sdk1.4.2_03. Now create the necessary links:

# ln -s /usr/local/j2sdk1.4.2_03/bin/* /usr/local/bin

To confirm it is installed:

$ java -version

This will also provide the necessary libraries for the Java plugin for Mozilla (and hence Firefox and Epiphany).

If there's a problem it might be protections:

# chmod -R go+rX j2sdk1.4.2_03