Setting up multiple versions of JVM & switching (tested in ubuntu 14.04 64bit)

gistfile1.sh

# Setting up multiple versions of JVM & switching

beta@landslide:~$ sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/java
beta@landslide:~$ sudo apt-get update

beta@landslide:~$ sudo apt-get install openjdk-6-jre openjdk-6-jdk icedtea-6-plugin
beta@landslide:~$ sudo apt-get install openjdk-7-jre openjdk-7-jdk icedtea-7-plugin

beta@landslide:~$ sudo apt-get install oracle-java7-installer
beta@landslide:~$ sudo apt-get install oracle-java8-installer

beta@landslide:~$ sudo update-java-alternatives -s java-1.6.0-openjdk-amd64
beta@landslide:~$ java -version
java version "1.6.0_33"
OpenJDK Runtime Environment (IcedTea6 1.13.5) (6b33-1.13.5-1ubuntu0.14.04)
OpenJDK 64-Bit Server VM (build 23.25-b01, mixed mode)

beta@landslide:~$ sudo update-java-alternatives -s java-1.7.0-openjdk-amd64
beta@landslide:~$ java -version
java version "1.7.0_65"
OpenJDK Runtime Environment (IcedTea 2.5.3) (7u71-2.5.3-0ubuntu0.14.04.1)
OpenJDK 64-Bit Server VM (build 24.65-b04, mixed mode)

beta@landslide:~$ sudo update-java-alternatives -s java-7-oracle
beta@landslide:~$ java -version
java version "1.7.0_72"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.7.0_72-b14)
Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM (build 24.72-b04, mixed mode)

beta@landslide:~$ sudo update-java-alternatives -s java-8-oracle
beta@landslide:~$ java -version
java version "1.8.0_25"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.8.0_25-b17)
Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM (build 25.25-b02, mixed mode)

# show java-related commands & locations

update-alternatives --get-selections | grep java