Here’s a short version of this long store. You see, Oracle JAVA / JRE was previously called Sun JAVA / JRE when it was owned by its previous parent company Sun Microsystems. Sun Microsystems which was more like an open source company developed the JAVA platform and it became the default JAVA software in all of Linux operating systems, including Ubuntu. It was the king, and nothing was close to it.
Within the last 5 years since Oracle purchased Sun Microsystems and assumed ownership of the JAVA technology, which is now referred to as Oracle JAVA, the software is being replaced with its open source counterpart called OpenJDK in most Linux distributions.
OpenJDK is an open-source implementation of the JAVA platform and all related projects. The reason most Linux distributions, including Ubuntu are moving away from Oracle JAVA platform to OpenJDK is that Oracle changed its software licensing terms that made it almost impossible for open source company to use it.
Ubuntu and other decided to switch. Now OpenJDK is king and Oracle JAVA is almost completely gone from Ubuntu and other Linux operating systems. It’s also becoming very difficult installing Oracle JAVA in Linux. Support for OpenJDK is on the rise and installing it in Ubuntu is a breeze.
So, if you need JAVA installed, you’re encouraged to use the open source version (OpenJDK). To install it in Ubuntu 13.04 Raring Ringtail, run the commands below.
sudo apt-get install openjdk-7-jre openjdk-7-jdk icedtea-7-plugin
That’s it! The above commands install OpenJDK 7 and JRE 7 on your machine along with Firefox browser plugins.
So, there you go. Oracle JAVA may soon be a thing of the past.
Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Oracle JAVA and OpenJDK?
Oracle JAVA was the proprietary version of the JAVA platform owned by Oracle, while OpenJDK is the open-source implementation of the JAVA platform. Most Linux distributions, including Ubuntu, have shifted from Oracle JAVA to OpenJDK due to licensing changes.
Is it still possible to install Oracle JAVA in Ubuntu 13.04 Raring Ringtail?
While it is becoming increasingly difficult to install Oracle JAVA in Ubuntu and other Linux operating systems, it is still possible with some effort. However, it is recommended to use OpenJDK, the open-source alternative.
How can I install OpenJDK in Ubuntu 13.04 Raring Ringtail?
To install OpenJDK in Ubuntu 13.04 Raring Ringtail, you can run the commands: sudo apt-get install openjdk-7-jre openjdk-7-jdk icedtea-7-plugin. This will install OpenJDK 7, JRE 7, and Firefox browser plugins.
Why did Ubuntu and other Linux distributions switch from Oracle JAVA to OpenJDK?
The main reason for the switch from Oracle JAVA to OpenJDK in Ubuntu and other Linux distributions was the changes in Oracle's software licensing terms. These changes made it challenging for open-source companies to use Oracle JAVA.
What was the previous name of Oracle JAVA?
Oracle JAVA was previously known as Sun JAVA when it was owned by Sun Microsystems. Sun Microsystems developed the JAVA platform, which later became Oracle JAVA after Oracle acquired Sun Microsystems.
What are the benefits of using OpenJDK over Oracle JAVA?
Using OpenJDK provides greater flexibility in terms of licensing and distribution compared to Oracle JAVA. Additionally, OpenJDK is fully open source, making it more accessible to the open-source community.
How has the support for OpenJDK evolved over time?
Support for OpenJDK has been on the rise, with more Linux distributions adopting it as the default JAVA platform. The ease of installation and compatibility with various systems have contributed to the growing popularity of OpenJDK.
Is it true that Oracle JAVA may soon be obsolete?
While Oracle JAVA is not entirely obsolete yet, its usage has significantly declined in favor of OpenJDK. With the increasing challenges in installing and using Oracle JAVA, it is likely that OpenJDK will continue to dominate the JAVA landscape in Linux operating systems.
