Setting up the Java Development Kit (JDK)

The Java Development Kit (JDK) is a crucial component for Java development. It includes the Java Runtime Environment (JRE), which is necessary to run Java applications, and the Java Compiler (javac), which is essential for compiling your Java code. Setting up the JDK on your system is a fundamental step in Java development. Here's how you can do it:

Download the JDK: Visit the Oracle website. https://www.oracle.com/java/technologies/javase-downloads.html or 

the OpenJDK website https://openjdk.java.net/ to download the latest version of the JDK.

Choose the Right Version: There are different versions of the JDK, with the two most common being JDK 8 (LTS - Long Term Support) and the latest JDK, which is not an LTS release. The choice depends on your project's requirements and compatibility.

Accept the License Agreement: Before downloading, you'll need to accept the terms of the Oracle Technology Network License Agreement if you're using Oracle's JDK.

Select Your Platform: Download the appropriate JDK version for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).

Install the JDK:

Windows: Run the downloaded installer and follow the installation wizard's instructions.

macOS: Open the downloaded DMG file and drag the JDK package to the Applications folder.

Linux: You can install the JDK using your distribution's package manager or by extracting the downloaded archive to a directory of your choice.

Set Environment Variables:

Windows: You need to set the JAVA_HOME environment variable to the JDK installation directory and add the bin directory to your system's PATH variable.

macOS and Linux: You can set the environment variables in your shell profile (e.g., .bashrc, .zshrc, or .profile). Add the following lines:

export JAVA_HOME=/path/to/your/jdk export PATH=$PATH:$JAVA_HOME/bin

To verify the installation: Open your command prompt or terminal and run the following commands to verify the installation:

java -version should display the installed Java version.

javac -version should display the installed Java Compiler version.