Effortless Java Setup on Mac Silicon for Test Automation

Java is a widely-used programming language for developing and running test automation scripts. To set up Java on your Mac Silicon, it’s essential to install the correct version, configure the environment variables, and verify the installation. In this article, we will guide you through the process of installing Java, setting up the environment, and uninstalling it if necessary.

Table of Contents:

1. Uninstalling Java
2. Downloading Java
3. Installing Java
4. Configuring Java Environment Variables
5. Symlinking Java
6. Verifying Java Installation
7. Conclusion

Step 1: Uninstalling Java

To uninstall Java, open Terminal and run the following commands, replacing <path_to_java_home> with the actual path to your Java installation:

sudo rm -rf <path_to_java_home> 
sudo rm -rf /Library/Internet\ Plug-Ins/JavaAppletPlugin.plugin 
sudo rm -rf /Library/PreferencePanes/JavaControlPanel.prefPane 
sudo rm -rf /Library/Application\ Support/Oracle/Java/ 
sudo rm -rf /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines 
sudo rm -rf /Library/Java

Next, remove the environment variables related to Java by editing the ~/.zshrc or other profile (as described in step 3) and deleting the lines you added earlier. Save the changes and run source ~/.zshrc or your respective profile to apply them.

Step 2: Downloading Java

To download Java, visit the official Oracle website (https://www.oracle.com/java/technologies/downloads/#java) and download the macOS installer for JDK.

Step 3: Installing Java

Once the installer is downloaded, double-click the .dmg file and follow the installation wizard’s instructions to install Java on your Mac.

Step 4: Configuring Java Environment Variables

After installing Java, you need to set up the JAVA_HOME and PATH environment variables. To do this, open Terminal and execute the following commands:

echo 'export JAVA_HOME=$(/usr/libexec/java_home -v 20)' >> ~/.zshrc echo 'export PATH=$JAVA_HOME/bin:$PATH' >> ~/.zshrc source ~/.zshrc

Step 5: Symlinking Java

Creating a symlink (symbolic link) to Java ensures that your system recognizes and uses the correct Java version. To create a symlink, open Terminal and run the following command:

sudo ln -sfn /usr/local/opt/openjdk@20/libexec/openjdk.jdk /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/openjdk-20.jdk

Step 6: Verifying Java Installation

To verify that Java is installed correctly, run the following command in Terminal:

java -version

If the output displays the Java version as “2x.x.x,” the installation was successful.

Step 7: Conclusion

By following this comprehensive guide, you can easily install, configure, and uninstall Java on your Mac Silicon for test automation. With Java properly set up, you can enhance your test automation capabilities and streamline your development workflow. Remember to verify the installation to ensure that your system is using the correct Java version.