java's path still /usr/bin/java after brew cask install java

14
votes

I installed java with homebrew, using the command brew cask install java.

After successfully installing, I typed which java, and the path showed to be /usr/bin/java

When I typed brew cask info java, this showed up:

java: 1.8.0_102-b14 Java Standard Edition Development Kit

/usr/local/Caskroom/java/1.8.0_102-b14 (227.5M) https://github.com/caskroom/homebrew-cask/blob/master/Casks/java.rb Contents JDK 8 Update 102.pkg (pkg) Caveats This Cask makes minor modifications to the JRE to prevent issues with packaged applications, as discussed here: If your Java application still asks for JRE installation, you might need to reboot or logout/login.

Installing this Cask means you have AGREED to the Oracle Binary Code License Agreement for Java SE at

Did I forget to link something?

1
javapathinstallationhomebrew
I have java 1.8.0_102 installed from brew cask, and if I do which java I also get /usr/bin/java. So that’s not an indication of a problem. /usr/bin/java is just a symlink to /System/Library/Frameworks/JavaVM.framework/Versions/Current/Commands/java which I guess is some indirection thing that finds the right java binary. Anyway, what do you actually get if you run java -version? In my environment, even though which java gives me /usr/bin/java, java -version gives me java version "1.8.0_102" Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.8.0_102-b14) (the cask version) as expected. – sideshowbarker
I get this:java version "1.8.0_102" Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.8.0_102-b14) Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM (build 25.102-b14, mixed mode) – Aaron Zorel
So that’s what you want to see, right? Since that means when you just type java it’s using the version you installed from homebrew—and it means the fact that which java tells you /usr/bin/java is not a problem (in fact that’s expected). In other words, you already have everything working as it should be, and there’s nothing more you need to do (e.g., you don’t need to link anything more). – sideshowbarker

1 Answers

26
votes

/usr/bin/java is a symlink.

To see where it points, type ls -la /usr/bin/java

brew cask is installing into /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk1.8.0_something.jdk/Contents/Home

If the previous command ls -la is matching this, you are good.

If not, it means that you previously had another java installation. In this case, you may want to use a tool like jenv to switch between your multiple installs.