Installing Sun JRE on Debian

Debian follows the complete free software policy and has a strict adherence to the GPL. When we talk about the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) it cannot be released under the GPL hence Debian won't include the Sun JRE along with it's distribution. It instead has a variety of alternatives like Kaffe virtual machine, Sable and others which are no match to the JRE when it comes to performance and features. If you intend to run programs like Azureus and FreeMind you just cannot do without installing the JRE. This guide explains how you can install the JRE correctly on Debian and the same time set it up correctly.

Step 1

Download JRE/JDK .bin or .tgz archive file from Sun, Blackdown, or IBM

Step 2

Run the following commands –

#apt-get install java-package

$fakeroot make-jpkg jre-1_5_0_06-linux-i586.bin dpkg -i

#dpkg -i sun-j2re1.5_1.5.0+update06_i386.deb

The # indicates you have to run the command as root and $ indicates you can run it as a normal user.

Step 3

Once JRE is installed the problem isn't over. The default alternatives (Kaffe, Sable) are still invoked when Java is needed. So if you want JRE to be the default and to choose the default Java executable, run the commands –

#update-alternatives –config java

#update-alternatives –config javac
Select JRE as your Java executable and you are done. Now you can run Java dependent programs like Azureus and FreeMind with ease!