How do I install the Sun/Oracle Java SDK on Ubuntu?

Since 11.10 Ubuntu does not provide the sun-java-jdk, how do I install it?

Answer

NOTE: Some of the contents of this answer might have become obsolete and there are some comments where people have reported problems. You're advised to read through the comments first.

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Ubuntu 11.10 Oneric

sudo apt-get install python-software-properties
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ferramroberto/java
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install sun-java6-jdk sun-java6-plugin

[Source]

Ubuntu 12.04 Precise

Clean up the historical open jdk:

sudo apt-get purge openjdk*

Add a new repo and install the sdk:

sudo apt-get install python-software-properties
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:eugenesan/java
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install oracle-java7-installer

If you want the JRE and the browser plugin:

sudo apt-get install python-software-properties
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/java
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install oracle-java7-installer

[Source]

Ubuntu 12.04 (Precise Pangolin) - another way

Thanks to the comments, please note that you can try this method too: http://www.liberiangeek.net/2012/04/install-oracle-java-jdk-7-in-ubuntu-12-04-precise-pangolin/

Make the sun java the default

You may want to also add the following

sudo update-alternatives --config java

You should get the following

Selection Path Priority Status

0 /usr/lib/jvm/java-7-oracle/bin/java 1 auto mode 1 /usr/lib/jvm/java-7-oracle/bin/java 1 manual mode * 2 /usr/lib/jvm/java-7-oracle/jre/bin/java 1 manual mode

Press enter to keep the current choice[*], or type selection number: 2

Select (2) and press enter

Now running:

java -version

Returns:

java version "1.7.0_04" Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.7.0_04-b20) Java HotSpot(TM) Server VM (build 23.0-b21, mixed mode)