A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners and Experts Alike

Learn how to check if java is installed on your raspberry pi device and find out if it’s working properly. We cover both command line and GUI methods in this comprehensive guide. …


Updated October 10, 2023

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Learn how to check if java is installed on your raspberry pi device and find out if it’s working properly. We cover both command line and GUI methods in this comprehensive guide.

Introduction

Java is a popular programming language used for developing various applications, including web, mobile, and desktop software. It is essential to have Java installed on your Raspberry Pi device if you are planning to run Java-based programs or apps on it. This article will show you how to check if Java is installed on your Raspberry Pi and also how to install it if it isn’t already there.

Checking for Java Using the Command Line

The command line is a powerful tool for any Raspberry Pi user, and checking for Java installations is no exception. Follow these steps to check if Java is installed on your Raspberry Pi using the command line:

  1. Open a terminal window by pressing CTRL + ALT + T or navigating to Menu > Accessories > Terminal.
  2. Type the following command and press Enter:
java -version
  1. If Java is installed, you will see output similar to this:
openjdk version "11.0.10" 2021-01-19
OpenJDK Runtime Environment (build 11.0.10+9-Raspbian-1deb10u2)
OpenJDK Zero VM (build 11.0.10+9-Raspbian-1deb10u2, interpreted mode)

If Java is not installed, you will see an error message similar to:

Command 'java' not found, but can be installed with:
sudo apt install default-jre
sudo apt install openjdk-11-jre-headless
sudo apt install openjdk-8-jre-headless

Follow the instructions provided in the error message to install Java.

Checking for Java Using the GUI

If you are not comfortable with using the command line, or if you simply prefer a graphical interface, you can use the following steps to check for Java on your Raspberry Pi:

  1. Navigate to Menu > Preferences > Raspberry Pi Configuration.
  2. Click on the Interfaces tab.
  3. Under P1 Camera, make sure that Java is checked (enabled). If it isn’t, check the box and click OK to save your changes.
  4. Restart your Raspberry Pi for the changes to take effect by clicking Menu > Shutdown/Restart > Restart.
  5. After restarting, go back to Preferences > Raspberry Pi Configuration and verify that Java is still checked under P1 Camera. If it is not, you may need to install Java manually using the command line method described above.

Installing Java on Your Raspberry Pi

If Java is not installed on your Raspberry Pi, follow these steps to install it:

  1. Open a terminal window by pressing CTRL + ALT + T or navigating to Menu > Accessories > Terminal.
  2. Update the package list by typing the following command and pressing Enter:
sudo apt update
  1. Install Java by typing the following command and pressing Enter:
sudo apt install default-jre
  1. Verify that Java is installed by running the command java -version as described in the section above. You should now see output similar to this:
openjdk version "11.0.10" 2021-01-19
OpenJDK Runtime Environment (build 11.0.10+9-Raspbian-1deb10u2)
OpenJDK Zero VM (build 11.0.10+9-Raspbian-1deb10u2, interpreted mode)

If you encounter any errors during installation or verification, please consult the official Java documentation for assistance.