[plug] More installing Java questions...

[Christian]

On Sat, Feb 24, 2001 at 12:07:00PM +1600, Ari Finander wrote:
> Hello,
> 
>      I'm getting the impression that perhaps I should not have
> installed Java (jdk1.3) as root in /usr/bin/Java/ on my RH7.0
> partition.  Why is this bad?  How do I uninstall it, and where should
> I try and install it via a user account?  I require all users of my
> system to be able to use the java commands/packages/etc.  Do I have to
> use root to give the user account special permissions when I use the
> user account to reinstall jdk1.3 to enable the account to run the
> install?  Will installing it in /usr or /usr/bin automatically enable
> all users to use the programs?

It's been a long while since I installed Java but basically you should
install any additional software that isn't packaged for your
distribution somewhere under the /usr/local/ directory.  For example,
/usr/local/java.  If you manage your software this way then it makes it
easier to check to see what additional (non-packaged) programs you've
installed.  It also ensures there won't be any directory namespace
conflicts between the program you install and other packages you might
install.  To allow all your users to access Java you simply need to
install it somewhere (preferably under /usr/local), make sure all the
permissions are set correctly and also make sure that your users have
the necessary directories set up in their path.