installing Java

i know many of us get struck with the little things... the code below are few simple steps to install java on your machine

Linux
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Add partner repository using the following command

> sudo add-apt-repository "deb http://archive.canonical.com/ lucid partner"

Update the source list

> sudo apt-get update

Now install sun java packages using the following commands

> sudo apt-get install sun-java6-jre sun-java6-plugin sun-java6-fonts


test by using the following command

java -verison





Just installing new Java flavours does not change the default Java pointed to by /usr/bin/java. You must explicitly set this:

Open a Terminal window
Run sudo update-java-alternatives -l to see the current configuration and possibilities.
Run sudo update-java-alternatives -s XXXX to set the XXX java version as default. For Sun Java 6 this would be sudo update-java-alternatives -s java-6-sun
Run java -version to ensure that the correct version is being called.
You can also use the following command to interactively make the change;

Open a Terminal window
Run sudo update-alternatives --config java
Follow the onscreen prompt
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