How do I install JDK7 (Java 7) on Mac OS X 10.7.3?

java, java-7, macos

Solution

Download Java SE 7u4 from Oracle. (This is 64-bit only)

This installs to `/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/1.7.0.jdk`.

However, when you run `java -version` it will still output `1.6` or some other old version. Follow the readme directions below:

Open `Java Preferences` in `/Applications/Utilities`. Drag `Java SE 7` to the top. It will now be your default JVM. Run `java -version` again, and you should see something like:

java version "1.7.0_04"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.7.0_04-bxx)
Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM (build 23.0-b17, mixed mode)

Once this is complete, a new install of Eclipse should select JDK7 by default. Otherwise:

- go to `Eclipse`->`Preferences...`->`Java`->`Installed JREs`

- click `Add...`

- Select `Standard VM`

- paste `/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/1.7.0.jdk/Contents/Home` into `JRE home`

- Change the `JRE name` to something useful like `Java SE 7`

- Click `Finish`

- Check the checkbox next to your newly created JRE.

Problem

Original source