Install Java 8 alongside Java 21 and switch between them as needed (for Jenkins or your app).
🔧 Step-by-Step: Install Java 8 on Ubuntu (Keep Java 21)
🔹 Step 1: Install Java 8
sudo apt update
sudo apt install openjdk-8-jdk -y
This installs Java 8 (usually in /usr/lib/jvm/java-8-openjdk-amd64).
🔹 Step 2: Check Installed Versions
update-java-alternatives --list
You should see both Java 8 and Java 21 listed.
🔹 Step 3: Configure Default Java Version (Temporarily or Permanently)
Option A: Switch System-Wide Java Version
sudo update-alternatives --config java
Select the number corresponding to Java 8.
Note: This affects the entire system, including Jenkins and other apps.
Option B: Set Java 8 for Jenkins Agent Only (via Environment Variable)
In Jenkins node config:
1. Go to Manage Jenkins → Manage Nodes and Clouds → [Your Node] → Configure.
2. Under Node Properties, check Environment Variables.
3. Add:
JAVA_HOME = /usr/lib/jvm/java-8-openjdk-amd64
4. Save.
Now, Jenkins jobs running on that agent will use Java 8, regardless of the system default.
Option C: Use Shell Wrapper in Jenkins Job (Local Scope Only)
In your Jenkins pipeline or freestyle job:
export JAVA_HOME=/usr/lib/jvm/java-8-openjdk-amd64
export PATH=$JAVA_HOME/bin:$PATH
java -version
✅ Optional: Lock Java 8 for a Specific Application
If your app is run outside Jenkins, create a wrapper script or systemd service with Java 8 specifically.
readlink -f $(which java)
root@worker-jenkins:/usr/lib/jvm# readlink -f $(which java)
/usr/lib/jvm/java-21-openjdk-amd64/bin/java
root@worker-jenkins:/usr/lib/jvm# ls -al
total 24
drwxr-xr-x 4 root root 4096 May 3 03:50 .
drwxr-xr-x 80 root root 4096 May 3 03:20 ..
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 1840 Jan 23 22:52 .java-1.21.0-openjdk-amd64.jinfo
-rw-r--r-- 1 root root 2613 Jan 26 07:38 .java-1.8.0-openjdk-amd64.jinfo
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 21 Jan 23 22:52 java-1.21.0-openjdk-amd64 -> java-21-openjdk-amd64
lrwxrwxrwx 1 root root 20 Jan 26 07:38 java-1.8.0-openjdk-amd64 -> java-8-openjdk-amd64
drwxr-xr-x 7 root root 4096 May 3 03:20 java-21-openjdk-amd64
drwxr-xr-x 7 root root 4096 May 3 03:50 java-8-openjdk-amd64
/usr/lib/jvm/ java-8-openjdk-amd64/bin/java
JAVA_HOME=/usr/lib/jvm/ java-8-openjdk-amd64/bin/java
pipeline {
agent { label 'maven-build-server' }
stages {
stage('Set Java 8 and Verify') {
steps {
sh '''
export JAVA_HOME=/usr/lib/jvm/java-8-openjdk-amd64
export PATH=$JAVA_HOME/bin:$PATH
echo "JAVA_HOME is $JAVA_HOME"
which java
java -version
'''
}
}
stage('Checkout') {
steps {
git branch: 'main',
url: 'https://gitlab.com/learndevopseasy/devsecops/springboot-build-pipeline.git'
}
}
stage('Maven Build') {
steps {
sh '''
export JAVA_HOME=/usr/lib/jvm/java-8-openjdk-amd64
export PATH=$JAVA_HOME/bin:$PATH
mvn clean package
'''
}
}
}
}
apt update
apt install -y openjdk-8-jdk
/usr/lib/jvm/ java-8-openjdk-amd64/bin/java
JAVA_HOME=/usr/lib/jvm/ java-8-openjdk-amd64/bin/java
pipeline {
agent { label 'maven-build-server' }
tools {
jdk 'java-8-openjdk' // Must match the name from Global Tool Configuration
stages {
stage('Verify Java') {
steps {
sh '''
echo "Using JAVA_HOME=$JAVA_HOME"
which java
java -version
'''
}
}
}
}
pipeline {
agent { label 'maven-build-server' }
tools {
jdk 'java-8-openjdk' // Must match the name from Global Tool Configuration
maven 'Maven3.8.7'
}
stages {
stage('Verify Java') {
steps {
sh '''
echo "Using JAVA_HOME=$JAVA_HOME"
which java
java -version
mvn --version
'''
}
}
}
}
