How to switch between two Java version easily in Linux

In this post I will reveal how you can easily setup multiple java environments and switch between them easily.

This is a simple method I use, sharing in case anyone is interested. Please follow the steps below.

1. Download and extract the java version you require in your PC. I will be using Java 1.7 and Java 1.8 for the demonstration purpose. I have extracted java 1.7 and 1.8 to following locations.

e.g : /home/yasassri/soft/java/jdk1.8.0_05
        /home/yasassri/soft/java/jdk1.7.0_65

2. Now Open the bachrc file using your favorite text editor. You can use the following commands to do this.

vim ~/.bashrc

3. Now Add the following two alias at the end of the file.

# Setting Java 8
alias setjava18='export JAVA_HOME='/home/yasassri/soft/java/jdk1.8.0_05' && export PATH=$JAVA_HOME/bin:$PATH && source ~/.bashrc'

#Setting Java 7
alias setjava17='export JAVA_HOME='/home/yasassri/soft/java/jdk1.7.0_65' && export PATH=$JAVA_HOME/bin:$PATH && source ~/.bashrc'

Note : You need to replace '/home/yasassri/soft/java/jdk1.8.0_05' and '/home/yasassri/soft/java/jdk1.7.0_65' with the file location of extracted Java folders in your PC.

4. Save and exit the file.

5. Execute the following command.

source ~/.bashrc

6. Everything is set now. Now execute the following command in your terminal.

setjava18

Now check the Java version that is set with java -version, Java 8 will be set.

7. Now execute following 

setjava17

Now Java 1.7 will be set.

Thanks for reading and please drop a comment if you have any issues.