Installing Java 8 on macOS: A Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Java is a widely-used programming language and computing platform that provides developers with tools to build applications. Installing the correct version of Java, such as Java 8, can be essential for compatibility with certain projects or frameworks like JavaFX. This tutorial will guide you through installing Java 8 on macOS using various methods, including Homebrew and SDKMAN.

Prerequisites

Before proceeding, ensure that you have:

• macOS: The installation instructions may vary slightly based on your version.
• Terminal Access: You need to be able to use the Terminal application on your Mac.

Method 1: Using Homebrew

Homebrew is a popular package manager for macOS. It simplifies software installation and management.

Step 1: Install Homebrew

If you haven’t installed Homebrew yet, open Terminal and run:

/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the installation process.

Step 2: Tap Additional Repositories (if needed)

To access versions of software not available in the main Homebrew repository, you may need to tap additional repositories. For Java 8, use:

brew tap adoptopenjdk/openjdk

Step 3: Install Java 8

You can install Java 8 using the AdoptOpenJDK project through Homebrew with the following command:

brew install --cask adoptopenjdk8

If you encounter an error related to multiple taps, use the full path:

brew install --cask adoptopenjdk/openjdk/adoptopenjdk8

Step 4: Verify Installation

After installation, verify it by running:

/usr/libexec/java_home -V

This command will list all installed Java versions. Ensure that Java 8 is included.

Method 2: Using SDKMAN

SDKMAN! (Software Development Kit Manager) is a tool for managing parallel versions of multiple Software Development Kits on most Unix-based systems, including macOS.

Step 1: Install SDKMAN!

Run the following command in your Terminal to install SDKMAN!:

curl -s "https://get.sdkman.io" | bash

Follow any prompts to complete the installation. Then, restart your terminal or run:

source "$HOME/.sdkman/bin/sdkman-init.sh"

Step 2: List Available Java Versions

To see available Java versions you can install with SDKMAN!, use:

sdk list java

This will display a list of Java distributions and their respective versions.

Step 3: Install Java 8

Identify the appropriate identifier for Java 8 from the list, then run:

sdk install java 8.0.322-tem

Replace 8.0.322-tem with the exact version you wish to install if necessary.

Step 4: Switching Between Java Versions

You can switch between installed Java versions using SDKMAN! as follows:

sdk use java 8.0.322-tem

Troubleshooting

1. Path Issues: If Java is not recognized in your terminal, you may need to update your PATH. For Homebrew installations:

   export PATH="/usr/local/opt/openjdk@8/bin:$PATH"
   

2. Multiple Taps Error: If you encounter issues with taps for AdoptOpenJDK, untap the conflicting repositories after installation and clean up using:

   brew untap adoptopenjdk/openjdk
   brew untap caskroom/versions
   brew cleanup
   

3. Apple Silicon Users: On M1 or newer Macs, you might need to run certain commands in an x86_64 architecture shell:

   env /usr/bin/arch -x86_64 zsh --login
   

Conclusion

With these methods, installing Java 8 on macOS should be straightforward. Whether using Homebrew or SDKMAN!, both tools offer reliable ways to manage and switch between multiple versions of Java efficiently. Ensure that you verify the installation by checking installed versions with /usr/libexec/java_home -V. With Java 8 ready, you can begin developing applications that depend on this specific version.