Java Download 21: How to Get the Latest Version of Java SE Platform
Introduction
Java is one of the most popular programming languages in the world, used for developing applications for desktop, web, mobile, and embedded devices. Java is also a platform that consists of a set of libraries and tools that enable developers to create and run Java applications.
If you want to run Java applications on your computer, you need to have a Java Runtime Environment (JRE) installed. The JRE includes a Java Virtual Machine (JVM) that executes the Java bytecode and a set of core libraries that provide basic functionality. The JRE is part of the Java Development Kit (JDK), which also includes a compiler, a debugger, and other tools for developing Java applications.
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The latest version of the Java SE Platform is JDK 21, which was released in September 2023. JDK 21 is the reference implementation of version 21 of the Java SE Platform, as specified by JSR 396 in the Java Community Process. JDK 21 introduces many new features and enhancements, such as string templates, sequenced collections, record patterns, pattern matching for switch, foreign function and memory API, unnamed patterns and variables, virtual threads, unnamed classes and instance main methods, scoped values, vector API, key encapsulation mechanism API, structured concurrency, and more.
In this article, we will show you how to download and install JDK 21 on your computer, so you can enjoy the benefits of the latest version of Java SE Platform.
How to download and install Java 21
Step 1: Check your system requirements
Before you download and install JDK 21, you need to make sure that your system meets the minimum requirements for running it. According to the official documentation, these are the certified system configurations for JDK 21:
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Operating systems: Windows (10 or later), Linux (x64 or ARM64), macOS (x64 or ARM64)
Memory: At least 128 MB of RAM
Disk space: At least 124 MB for JRE; at least 2 GB for JDK
Processor: Any processor that supports the x64 or ARM64 instruction set
If your system does not meet these requirements, you may not be able to run JDK 21 properly.
Step 2: Choose your Java distribution
The next step is to choose which Java distribution you want to use. There are two main options: Oracle JDK and OpenJDK.
Oracle JDK 21
Oracle JDK is the official distribution of JDK from Oracle Corporation. It is free to use in production and free to redistribute, at no cost, under the Oracle No-Fee Terms and Conditions. Oracle JDK includes commercial features and tools that are not available in OpenJDK, such as Flight Recorder, Mission Control, Z Garbage Collector (ZGC), Application Class-Data Sharing (AppCDS), GraalVM compiler, and more. Oracle JDK also provides long-term support (LTS) releases that receive updates for several years. The latest LTS release is JDK 17, which will be supported until September 2029.
OpenJDK 21
OpenJDK is the open-source distribution of JDK from the OpenJDK community. It is also free to use in production and free to redistribute, at no cost, under the GNU General Public License version 2 (GPLv2) with the Classpath Exception. OpenJDK includes the same features and tools as Oracle JDK, except for the commercial ones. OpenJDK also provides LTS releases that receive updates for several years. The latest LTS release is JDK 11, which will be supported until October 2026.
The main difference between Oracle JDK and OpenJDK is the license and the support. Oracle JDK has a more permissive license and longer support, but it may require a commercial license for some use cases. OpenJDK has a more restrictive license and shorter support, but it is completely free and open-source. You can choose the one that suits your needs and preferences better.
Step 3: Download the Java installer
Once you have decided which Java distribution you want to use, you can proceed to download the Java installer from the official website. Here are the download links for both Oracle JDK and OpenJDK:
Oracle JDK 21 download links
Operating system
Download link
Windows (x64)
Windows (ARM64)
Linux (x64)
Linux (ARM64)
macOS (x64)
macOS (ARM64)
OpenJDK 21 download links
Operating system
Download link
Windows (x64)
Windows (ARM64)
Linux (x64)
Linux (ARM64)
macOS (x64)
macOS (ARM64)
You can choose the download link that matches your operating system and architecture. The file size may vary depending on the distribution and the platform.
Step 4: Run the Java installer and follow the instructions
The final step is to run the Java installer and follow the instructions on the screen. The installation process may differ slightly depending on the distribution and the platform, but generally it involves these steps:
Double -click the downloaded file to launch the installer.
Accept the license agreement and choose the installation directory.
Select the features and components you want to install, such as the source code, the documentation, the development tools, etc.
Click the install button and wait for the installation to complete.
Verify that the installation was successful by opening a command prompt or a terminal and typing java -version. You should see something like this:
C:\Users\user>java -version java version "21" 2023-09-14 Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 21+1-2023) Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM (build 21+1-2023, mixed mode, sharing)
Congratulations, you have successfully installed JDK 21 on your computer!
Conclusion
In this article, we have shown you how to download and install JDK 21 on your computer. JDK 21 is the latest version of the Java SE Platform, which introduces many new features and enhancements that improve the performance, security, and productivity of Java applications. To get started with JDK 21, you need to check your system requirements, choose your Java distribution, download the Java installer, and run it following the instructions. We hope this article was helpful and informative for you. If you have any questions or feedback, please feel free to leave a comment below.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about JDK 21:
Q: Is JDK 21 free?
A: Yes, both Oracle JDK and OpenJDK are free to use in production and free to redistribute, at no cost, under different licenses. However, Oracle JDK may require a commercial license for some use cases, such as using it in embedded devices or appliances. You can check the Oracle No-Fee Terms and Conditions for more details.
Q: How do I update JDK 21?
A: You can update JDK 21 by downloading and installing the latest patch release from the official website. The patch releases are numbered as 21.x.y, where x is the update number and y is the build number. For example, the first patch release is 21.0.1. You can also use tools like SDKMAN or Homebrew to manage multiple versions of Java on your system.
Q: How do I uninstall JDK 21?
A: You can uninstall JDK 21 by following these steps:
Windows: Go to Control Panel > Programs > Programs and Features, select Java SE Development Kit 21 from the list, and click Uninstall.
Linux: Go to the installation directory of JDK 21 and run sudo ./uninstall.sh.
macOS: Go to Finder > Applications > Utilities > Terminal, type sudo rm -rf /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk-21.jdk, and press Enter.
Q: What are some alternatives to JDK 21?
A: Some alternatives to JDK 21 are:
JDK 17: The latest LTS release of Java SE Platform, which will be supported until September 2029. It includes features like sealed classes, text blocks, records, pattern matching for instanceof, switch expressions, etc.
JDK 11: The previous LTS release of Java SE Platform, which will be supported until October 2026. It includes features like lambda expressions, streams API, modules system, local variable type inference, etc.
GraalVM: A high-performance polyglot virtual machine that supports Java and other languages like JavaScript, Python, Ruby, R, etc. It also provides native image generation, which allows you to compile Java applications into standalone executables that run without a JVM.
Q: Where can I learn more about JDK 21?
A: You can learn more about JDK 21 from these sources:
The official documentation, which provides a comprehensive guide on how to use JDK 21.
The release notes, which provide a summary of the new features and enhancements in JDK 21.
The JEPs, which provide detailed specifications of the new features and enhancements in JDK 21.
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