JDK in OSX

I wanted to figure out the Java installation on OSX so that I can easily switch between JDK 6,7 and 8.

I got my answer from this post http://stackoverflow.com/questions/15120745/need-help-understanding-oracles-java-on-mac

In summary

When we install Java using a dmg it goes here /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/

This command is handy to figure this out

$ /usr/libexec/java_home 

/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk1.8.0_31.jdk/Contents/Home

java_home man
https://developer.apple.com/library/mac/documentation/Darwin/Reference/ManPages/man1/java_home.1.html

Let's see how this gets connected with java command.

$ java -version

java version "1.8.0_31"

Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.8.0_31-b13)

Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM (build 25.31-b07, mixed mode)

$ which java

/usr/bin/java

$ ls -al /usr/bin/java

lrwxr-xr-x  1 root  wheel  74 Apr  2  2014 /usr/bin/java -> /System/Library/Frameworks/JavaVM.framework/Versions/Current/Commands/java

</pre >

/System/Library/Frameworks/JavaVM.framework/Versions/Current/Commands/java is actually a proxy to actual installation of java!

Let's see where does this proxy end up

$ sudo dtrace -n 'syscall::posix_spawn:entry { trace(copyinstr(arg1)); }' -c "java -version"

dtrace: description 'syscall::posix_spawn:entry ' matched 1 probe

dtrace: pid 19903 has exited

CPU     ID                    FUNCTION:NAME

  0    638                posix_spawn:entry   /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk1.8.0_31.jdk/Contents/Home/bin/java

from the post

A combination of factors are considered. JAVA_HOME is used if set (try JAVA_HOME=/tmp java). If JAVA_HOME is not set then the list of all virtual machines on the system is discovered. The JAVA_VERSION and JAVA_ARCH environment variables are used, if set, to filter the list of virtual machines to a particular version and supported architecture. The resulting list is then sorted by architecture (preferring 64-bit over 32-bit) and version (newer is better), and the best match is returned.

The proxy is intelligent enough to find the Java installation and java will work for you. But what if you want to switch between multiple JDKs. Simple, pass the instruction through JAVA_HOME. export JAVA_HOME=/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk1.7.0_71.jdk/Contents/Home

No need to add to the PATH :) 

I love this proxy concept. An Apple A Day, Keeps lot of worries Away