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If you’re starting your journey in Java development and you’re using a Mac, one of the first things you’ll need to do is set up your Java environment properly. This means installing the Java Development Kit (JDK), setting environment variables (like JAVA_HOME), and making sure everything works smoothly from your terminal and your favorite code editor or IDE.
In this step-by-step guide, you’ll learn how to set up the Java environment on macOS—the right way. Whether you're new to programming or just switching to a Mac, this article will help you get Java up and running in no time.

What You’ll Need

Before we dive in, here’s what we’ll be doing:
  • Check if Java is already installed
  • Install a Java Development Kit (JDK)
  • Set the JAVA_HOME environment variable
  • Verify the installation
  • (Optional) Install a code editor or IDE
Let’s get started!

Step 1: Check if Java Is Already Installed

Your Mac might already have a version of Java installed—especially if it’s older or used by other apps.
To check, open your Terminal and run: 
java -version
If you see something like: 
java version "17.0.2" 2022-01-18 LTS
Great! You already have Java. But if you see: 
No Java runtime present, requesting install.
...then it’s time to install it.

Step 2: Install the Java Development Kit (JDK)

You’ll want the JDK (not just the JRE), because it includes everything needed to write and run Java code.

Option 1: Use Homebrew (Recommended)

If you don’t have Homebrew yet, install it first by running this in Terminal: 
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"
Then, install the latest version of OpenJDK: 
brew install openjdk@21
You can replace 21 with any version you want (like 17, 20, etc.), depending on your needs.
After the installation finishes, you’ll see a note from Homebrew. It usually includes instructions like this:
To use the JDK, add the following to your .zprofile or .zshrc: 
export PATH="/opt/homebrew/opt/openjdk@21/bin:$PATH"
export CPPFLAGS="-I/opt/homebrew/opt/openjdk@21/include"

Copy and paste those lines into your .zshrc file (or .bash_profile if you're using bash):

nano ~/.zshrc
Paste the lines at the bottom, save (Ctrl + O), and exit (Ctrl + X).
Apply the changes: 
source ~/.zshrc

Option 2: Download from Oracle or Other Providers

You can also download the JDK manually: Download the .pkg file for macOS and follow the installer instructions.

Step 3: Set the JAVA_HOME Environment Variable

After installation, it’s important to set the JAVA_HOME variable. This tells tools and build systems (like Maven or Gradle) where Java is located on your machine.
In your terminal, add the following line to your .zshrc or .bash_profile: 
export JAVA_HOME=$(/usr/libexec/java_home)
Then reload your shell: 
source ~/.zshrc
To check if it’s working: 
echo $JAVA_HOME
You should see something like: 
/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/openjdk-21.jdk/Contents/Home

Step 4: Verify the Installation

Run these commands to make sure Java is working properly: 
java -version
javac -version
The java command runs the Java runtime, while javac is the Java compiler.
If you see version numbers for both, you're all set!

Step 5: (Optional) Install an IDE or Code Editor

Now that Java is installed, you’ll probably want to write code in a nice editor. Here are some great options:

1. IntelliJ IDEA

2. Visual Studio Code

  • Lightweight and beginner-friendly
  • Install Java extensions for syntax highlighting, building, and running Java code
  • Download from code.visualstudio.com

3. Eclipse IDE

  • Another classic Java IDE, especially for enterprise development
  • Download from eclipse.org
Any of these will work great—pick the one that feels right for you.

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