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# How to set up a development environment for Java on Ubuntu

This article covers how to install the Java toolchain and development environment on Ubuntu. Java is a popular programming language supported on many platforms.

## Installing Eclipse IDE

The quickest way to start developing Java code on Ubuntu is to install Eclipse IDE – the standard integrated development environment for Java development. This also provides the latest Java LTS (long-term support) version:

`dev@ubuntu:~$ ``snap install eclipse --classic`

Run `eclipse` to start the IDE.

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## Installing Java Development Kit

To install the default Java Development Kit for your Ubuntu release, run:

`dev@ubuntu:~$ ``sudo apt install default-jdk`

### Short Term Support Java releases

Latest or early access releases are available in the latest development release of Ubuntu. For example, to install the early access Ubuntu archive version of OpenJDK 24, use:

`dev@ubuntu:~$ ``sudo apt install openjdk-24-jdk`

Latest or early-access releases are also available through the community maintained [OpenJDK](https://snapcraft.io/openjdk) snap package.

- To install the latest early-access release, run:
  `dev@ubuntu:~$ ``sudo snap install openjdk --channel=edge`
- To install the latest release, run:
  `dev@ubuntu:~$ ``sudo snap install openjdk --channel=stable`

### Long Term Support Java releases

The Ubuntu Archive provides packages for all supported LTS releases of [OpenJDK](https://openjdk.org/) - an open-source implementation of [Java Platform, Standard Edition](https://www.oracle.com/java/technologies/java-se-glance.html). OpenJDK 17 and 21 TCK (Technology Compatibility Kit) is certified on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS.

To install OpenJDK, run:

`dev@ubuntu:~$ ``sudo apt install openjdk-<version>-jdk`

For example, to install the latest LTS release, use:

`dev@ubuntu:~$ ``sudo apt install openjdk-21-jdk`

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### GraalVM Community Edition for Ubuntu

GraalVM Community Edition is available and supported on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS and above, through a [snap package](https://snapcraft.io/graalvm-jdk). To install the latest GraalVM version, run:

`dev@ubuntu:~$ ``sudo snap install graalvm-jdk`

The snap also provides for GraalVM Community Edition for JDK 21, which is an LTS release:

`dev@ubuntu:~$ ``sudo snap install graalvm-jdk --channel=v21`

GraalVM may be used like any other Java Development Kit in the IDE of your choice.

## Java IDEs

A number of IDEs are available for Java development on Ubuntu:

[Eclipse](https://www.eclipse.org/)
: `dev@ubuntu:~$ ``sudo snap install eclipse --classic`

[IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition](https://www.jetbrains.com/idea/)
: `dev@ubuntu:~$ ``sudo snap install intellij-idea-community --classic`

[Visual Studio Code](https://code.visualstudio.com/) with [Extension Pack for Java](https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=vscjava.vscode-java-pack)
: `dev@ubuntu:~$ ``sudo snap install code --classic`

[Android Studio](https://developer.android.com/studio)
: `dev@ubuntu:~$ ``sudo snap install android-studio --classic`

## What next

See the tutorial introducing the use of Java and related tooling: [Develop with Java on Ubuntu](https://documentation.ubuntu.com/ubuntu-for-developers/tutorials/java-use.md#use-java).