How to Check Your Java Version via Terminal

Checking Your Java Version via Terminal

Whether you are setting up a new development environment or troubleshooting an application, verifying your Java version is often the first step. You can easily check this using your terminal, regardless of your operating system.

The Command to Check Java Version

Open your terminal (Command Prompt, PowerShell, or Terminal) and run the following command:

java -version

You should see an output displaying your installed Java version, such as openjdk version "17.0.1". If you see this, your Java Runtime Environment (JRE) is correctly configured.

Checking the Compiler (javac) Version

If you are a developer, it is equally important to ensure that your compiler (javac) matches your runtime version to avoid potential compatibility issues:

Bash

javac -version

Troubleshooting: "Command Not Found"

If you encounter an error message like command not found or 'java' is not recognized, it means that either Java is not installed on your system or the Environment Variables (PATH) are not properly configured. In such cases, you will need to add your Java installation directory to your system's PATH.

Pro-Tip for Developers

When working with command-line tools, remember that using the -version or --version flag is a standard convention across most development tools (like Python, Node.js, or Git). Building this habit will save you time across all your projects.