Steps to install JDK 17 and Oracle SQL Developer on a RHEL 7 machine using RPM files

Assume:

  • OS: RHEL 7 (64-bit)
  • You already have:
    • jdk-17*.rpm
    • sqldeveloper-*.rpm
  • You have root access

🔹 PART 1: Install JDK 17 (RPM)

1️⃣ Switch to root

su - root

2️⃣ Verify the RPM file

ls -lh jdk-17*.rpm

(Optional check)

rpm -qip jdk-17*.rpm

3️⃣ Install JDK 17

rpm -ivh jdk-17*.rpm

If already installed and you want to upgrade:

rpm -Uvh jdk-17*.rpm

4️⃣ Verify JDK Installation

java -version

Expected output:

java version "17.x.x"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment

5️⃣ Find JDK Installation Path

alternatives --display java

Typical path:

/usr/lib/jvm/jdk-17

Confirm:

ls /usr/lib/jvm

6️⃣ Set JAVA_HOME (System Wide – Recommended)

Edit:

vi /etc/profile.d/java.sh

Add:

export JAVA_HOME=/usr/lib/jvm/jdk-17
export PATH=$JAVA_HOME/bin:$PATH

Apply:

source /etc/profile.d/java.sh

Verify:

echo $JAVA_HOME
java -version

🔹 PART 2: Install Oracle SQL Developer (RPM)

SQL Developer does NOT need Oracle DB installed
It only needs Java


1️⃣ Install SQL Developer RPM

rpm -ivh sqldeveloper-*.rpm

This installs SQL Developer under:

/opt/sqldeveloper

Verify:

ls /opt/sqldeveloper

2️⃣ Configure SQL Developer to Use JDK 17

Edit:

vi /opt/sqldeveloper/sqldeveloper/bin/sqldeveloper.conf

Add or modify:

SetJavaHome /usr/lib/jvm/jdk-17

⚠️ This step is mandatory, otherwise SQL Developer will not start.


3️⃣ Verify SQL Developer Installation

Run:

/opt/sqldeveloper/sqldeveloper.sh

Or from anywhere:

sqldeveloper

(If command not found, add alias)


4️⃣ Create Desktop Shortcut (Optional – GUI Systems)

ln -s /opt/sqldeveloper/sqldeveloper.sh /usr/local/bin/sqldeveloper

🔹 PART 3: Validate Everything

Java

java -version

SQL Developer

sqldeveloper

You should see Oracle SQL Developer GUI 🎉


🔹 COMMON ISSUES & FIXES

❌ SQL Developer doesn’t start

✔️ Check Java path:

which java

✔️ Confirm config:

cat /opt/sqldeveloper/sqldeveloper/bin/sqldeveloper.conf

❌ Error: Unsupported Java Version

Ensure JDK 17, not JRE:

rpm -qa | grep jdk

❌ DISPLAY Error (Remote Server)

export DISPLAY=:0

Or use X11 forwarding:

ssh -X user@server

🔹 BEST PRACTICE (DBA / Server)

ComponentRecommendation
JDKSystem-wide (/usr/lib/jvm)
SQL Developer/opt/sqldeveloper
GUI usageUse X11 or install on local machine
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