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Java is one of the most essential runtimes for developers, sysadmins, and security professionals. Many enterprise tools and applications require it, and on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 (RHEL 9), you can install it easily with a few commands.
Step 1: Update System Packages
Before installing Java, make sure your RHEL 9 system is fully updated. This ensures compatibility and avoids broken dependencies. Run the following commands:
sudo dnf update -y sudo dnf upgrade -y
Keeping your system fresh also gives you the latest stable repositories for Java.
Step 2: Install Java Runtime Environment (JRE)
If you only need Java to run applications, the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) is enough. RHEL 9 provides OpenJDK packages for easy installation:
sudo dnf install java-17-openjdk -y
This will install OpenJDK 17, which is the default and recommended version on Red Hat 9 in 2025.
Step 3: Install Java Development Kit (JDK)
If you plan to compile or develop Java applications, you need the Java Development Kit (JDK). It includes the JRE plus developer tools like javac:
sudo dnf install java-17-openjdk-devel -y
With this package, you’re ready to build and run Java applications on RHEL 9.
Step 4: Verify the Java Installation
After installation, check if Java is installed correctly by verifying the version. Use the following commands:
java -version javac -version
If both commands return version numbers, Java is successfully installed on your Red Hat Enterprise Linux 9 system.
