Java questions...

[casperes1996]

a.) I thought I had the Java 8 JDK on my Mac? Or did I just have the Java 8 JRE?

Well, would seem like you at least don't have all the Java components Libre Office expected.

b.) How can I tell?

The Terminal command mentioned earlier on.
java --version /java -version
depending on specific variant of Java.
It shows the version of the Java runtime and server.

Then "javac -version"/"javac --version"
shows the version of the Java compiler
Pretty darn sure you won't have the compiler if you don't have the JDK.

c.) Can I downloaded the Java JDK for free?

I downloaded it for free at least.

Here's from Oracle's website:
"

• End users and developers looking for free JDK versions: Oracle OpenJDK offers the same features and performance as Oracle JDK under the GPL license.

"

It is also what homebrew installs.

d.) Am I going to have to register with Oracle?

Shouldn't be necessary

e.) Do I install the JDK over what I have, or do I have to uninstall Java 8?

No need to uninstall anything. Hell, you can even have more than one Java version at once if you want - like different version numbers. I have 6, 8 and 12 on my iMac.

f.) Am I going to break other software using Java by doing all of this?

Nope. If any of your other software needs a specific version, you can keep that version too, but there should be no compatability issues anyway.

 

[jtara]

Where does the Java used by browsers exist?

Is it the same Java that is in your /Application directory?

Java doesn't live in the /Application directory. See above.

Browser plugins/extensions (which pretty much NOBODY should be using today!) use a desktop Java. Again, I am fuzzy. I haven't had a Java browser plugin installed for many, many years now. IF you have the plugin installed (and you should NOT) websites can embed a Java applet in the page, and it will be opened in some desktop Java version, and the UI window will be embedded in the web browser. That's it. It's just a desktop app with it's display window embedded in part of a web page. DO NOT INSTALL A JAVA BROWSER PLUGIN!

 

[Ambrosia7177]

No mess at all. The sky is NOT falling. But if you keep repeating that the sky is falling, it just might.

For me it always seems to be - if you follow my threads on here you would understand I seem to have lots of bad luck, even with a Mac!

Multiple versions of Java do now and always have coexisted on the same system. It was designed to work that way. I *think* apps look for the highest version within the range of versions they were designed to support. (Like I said, I am NOT a Java developer - I use it because it is required by various applications I use.)

That is good to know!

You have to register with Oracle to download certain OLDER versions of Java. (1.8, 1.7). You can download the CURRENT version (12.0.1) without registration.

What is the link where youc an get Java 12 for Mac? (When I went to https://www.java.com/en/download/ all I see is Version 8 Update 211, Release date April 16, 2019)

There is no cost to register.
This is basically much ado about nothing. I don't get the reluctance to register. They want a record of the fact that you accepted the licensing terms. (Which of course almost nobody ever reads...) And they want to be able to compile impressive statistics about how many installations they have and where, etc.

I get paranoid about mega corporation asking me to register and give any details these days - especially with all of the spying and data breaches!!

I broke down and used a junk email account. As expected, the jerks at Oracle asked me for my FUll name, Place of Work, Address, and so on. (Fortunately I made up ******** and it accepted it.)

I am downloading jdk-8u212-macosx-x64.dmg now since that seemed like a good one to choose. (Again, I don't believe that I could find Java 12 for Mac anywhere?!)

I hope that when this download finishes, I can successfully instal the Java 8.2 (?) JDK and then LibreOffice Base will start working...
[doublepost=1558663404][/doublepost]

It is also what homebrew installs.

I decided not to try Homebrew because of this article and other similar ones...

how Homebrew invites users to get pwned
https://applehelpwriter.com/2018/03/21/how-homebrew-invites-users-to-get-pwned/

But thanks for the suggestions!

 

[casperes1996]

I decided not to try Homebrew because of this article and other similar ones...

how Homebrew invites users to get pwned
https://applehelpwriter.com/2018/03/21/how-homebrew-invites-users-to-get-pwned/

But thanks for the suggestions!

Okay, so that article does raise a valid and interesting point. It isn't a concern if you don't brew install something malicious (and any package there is open source and can be audited) and don't install untrusted software in general, but that's a tall order, since doubtfully anybody does that on purpose.

The issue can easily be fixed though. Just changing the path order so system's bins come first. Or installing homebrew under one's home directory like the article suggests.

Regardless, it sounds like you've got your issue worked out now, so it's largely irrelevant.
Though I'm confused you couldn't find version 12. Was the first that showed up when I looked

 

[Ambrosia7177]

Okay, so that article does raise a valid and interesting point. It isn't a concern if you don't brew install something malicious (and any package there is open source and can be audited) and don't install untrusted software in general, but that's a tall order, since doubtfully anybody does that on purpose.

The issue can easily be fixed though. Just changing the path order so system's bins come first. Or installing homebrew under one's home directory like the article suggests.

Yes there are workarounds, but for me being on the paranoid side, and not being a Unix admin, I'll pass on Homebrew for now.

Regardless, it sounds like you've got your issue worked out now, so it's largely irrelevant.

After having to break down and create an Oracle developer account - which I faked - I was able to finally download the Java 8 JDk and install it, and I am happy to say that appears to fix the issues I was having with LibreOffice!!

Though I'm confused you couldn't find version 12. Was the first that showed up when I looked

One of the many reasons I hate Oracle is because they are this mega corporation and not only *greedy* but utterly confusing?! It amazes me when you Google one thing sites like Oracle end up having 10,000 links for that one thing.

Simply put, navigating Oracle's site(s) is not so easy.

Ironically, after I installed the Java 8 JDK, I found the Java 12 SDK and so I downloaded that as well for safe-keeping, although I didn't install it since LibreOffice seems to be working with Java 8.

Thank you to everyone in this thread who helped out!

 

[casperes1996]

Simply put, navigating Oracle's site(s) is not so easy.

Amen to that. Fully agree.
Anyways, glad it all worked out