How to switch default java version namely Java 7 to Java 8 in Mac OS X?

Once in a while Java versions on your developer environment needs to be upgraded and the new version needs to be the default across the different software that you would be using for the product or solution.


Before changing the default, find the current default in the system by typing

java -version

This should give something like 

java version "1.7.0_79"

Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.7.0_79-b15)

Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM (build 24.79-b02, mixed mode)

Now check the other versions installed on the system

/usr/libexec/java_home -V

This should give something like

Matching Java Virtual Machines (2):

    1.8.0_45, x86_64: "Java SE 8" /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk1.8.0_45.jdk/Contents/Home

    1.7.0_79, x86_64: "Java SE 7" /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk1.7.0_79.jdk/Contents/Home

Now change the version to Java 8

export JAVA_HOME='/usr/libexec/java_home -v 1.8.0_45'

Verify if this is changed by giving the same command again

java -version

This should now show the changed default
java version "1.8.0_45"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.8.0_45-b14)
Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM (build 25.45-b02, mixed mode)