Install Java on FreeBSD
| Introduction | |
| Install a JDK | |
| JAVA_HOME | |
| Check the version | |
| Ports vs packages |
Introduction
FreeBSD ships OpenJDK as a binary package and as a port. The package installs in seconds; the port lets you tune build options.
Install a JDK
From binary packages:
sudo pkg install -y openjdk17
Or build from ports:
cd /usr/ports/java/openjdk17 && sudo make install clean
JAVA_HOME
Point build tools at the JDK. The package layout lives under /usr/local/openjdk17:
export JAVA_HOME=/usr/local/openjdk17
Add the line to ~/.shrc or ~/.bashrc to keep it across logins.
Check the version
java -version
Both java and javac must report the installed release.
Ports vs packages
Prefer the binary package for speed; build the port only when you need non-default options (a different CA bundle, extra charset support). After major FreeBSD upgrades, rebuild or reinstall the JDK — old binaries against a new libc fail in creative ways.
