How to Download and Install Java 8 on Mac using Homebrew

If you're looking to install Java 8 on your Mac, this guide will walk you through the process of downloading and installing it using Homebrew. Before we dive in, please note that this guide is designed to provide general instructions and outputs, rather than ensuring the output remains up-to-date with the ever-evolving Homebrew formulae changes.

Why Choose OpenJDK?

Oracle now requires a subscription to use Java SE (2018), which can be limiting. That's why we recommend using OpenJDK instead. OpenJDK has a permissive license, the GPL v2 with Classpath Exception (aka linking exception). We favor free, simple, and permissive licensing whenever possible, so we'll focus on OpenJDK first.

What You Need to Know About OpenJDK

OpenJDK is readily available for Java 8 and later. For versions prior to Java 8 or other special circumstances, OpenJDK may not be available. If plain OpenJDK isn't available, we can opt for AdoptOpenJDK or other open-source distributions.

How to Search Homebrew for Java Formulae

To get started, you'll need to search Homebrew for the correct formulae. Here's how:

1. Open your terminal and type `brew search java` to find the available Java-related formulas.

2. Look for the desired version of Java (in this case, Java 8).

3. Once you've found the formula, note down the command needed to install it.

Installing Java 8 on Mac using Homebrew

To install Java 8 on your Mac using Homebrew, follow these steps:

1. Open your terminal and type `brew install openjdk@8` (or the desired version of Java).

2. Press Enter to begin the installation process.

3. Wait for the installation to complete.

Verifying Your Installation

Once the installation is complete, you can verify that Java 8 has been installed on your Mac by typing `java -version` in your terminal. This should display the version of Java currently installed.

That's it! With these simple steps, you should now have Java 8 installed on your Mac using Homebrew.

Java 8 download mac