Install Java on FreeBSD

Introduction

FreeBSD ships OpenJDK as a binary package and as a port. The package installs in seconds; the port lets you tune build options.

Install a JDK

From binary packages:

sudo pkg install -y openjdk17

Or build from ports:

cd /usr/ports/java/openjdk17 && sudo make install clean

JAVA_HOME

Point build tools at the JDK. The package layout lives under /usr/local/openjdk17:

export JAVA_HOME=/usr/local/openjdk17

Add the line to ~/.shrc or ~/.bashrc to keep it across logins.

Check the version

java -version

Both java and javac must report the installed release.

Ports vs packages

Prefer the binary package for speed; build the port only when you need non-default options (a different CA bundle, extra charset support). After major FreeBSD upgrades, rebuild or reinstall the JDK — old binaries against a new libc fail in creative ways.