Update JAVA and Install NetBeans in Mac OS X 10.5

Mac OS X:
Check Mac OS X version by executing
> sw_vers
ProductName: Mac OS X
ProductVersion: 10.5.8
BuildVersion: 9L31a

Version 10.5.x

Java Version:
Check Java version in your system by executing

>java -version
java version "1.5.0_13"
Java(TM) 2 Runtime Environment, Standard Edition (build 1.5.0_13-b05-237)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 1.5.0_13-119, mixed mode, sharing)

This is J2SE 5.0


[On the top right corner, there is spotlight/search. Search for "Java Preferences". Open that application. It allows you to select/de-select various versions of Java in your system ]

Our task: Update J2SE 5.0 to Java 6 [ Java SE 6] :
[ Java replaced name J2SE with Java SE starting from version 6 ]


Step 1: Go to http://support.apple.com/downloads/ and search for " java for mac os x 10.5 "

Step 2: Download the Java for Mac OS X 10.5 update 4
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL848

Java for Mac OS X 10.5 Update 4 delivers improved reliability, security, and compatibility for Java SE 6, J2SE 5.0 and J2SE 1.4.2 on Mac OS X 10.5.7 and later. This release updates Java SE 6 to version 1.6.0_13, J2SE 5.0 to version 1.5.0_19, and J2SE 1.4.2 to 1.4.2_21.

Check java version:

>java -version
java version "1.6.0_13"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.6.0_13-b03-211)
Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM (build 11.3-b02-83, mixed mode)


Step 3: Download the Java for Mac OS X 10.5 update 5
http://support.apple.com/kb/DL924

Caution: After installation of update 5, you have to restart the system.

Java for Mac OS X 10.5 Update 5 delivers improved reliability, security, and compatibility for Java SE 6, J2SE 5.0 and J2SE 1.4.2 on Mac OS X 10.5 .8 and later. This release updates Java SE 6 to version 1.6.0_15, J2SE 5.0 to version 1.5.0_20, and J2SE 1.4.2 to 1.4.2_22.

Check Java Version:

>java -version
java version "1.6.0_15"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.6.0_15-b03-226)
Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM (build 14.1-b02-92, mixed mode)

Step 4: Download the Java for Mac OS X 10.5 update 8

http://support.apple.com/kb/DL971

Java for Mac OS X 10.5 Update 8 delivers improved compatibility, security, and reliability by updating J2SE 5.0 to 1.5.0_26, and updating Java SE 6 to 1.6.0_22 for 64-bit capable Intel-based Macs . J2SE 1.4.2 is no longer being updated to fix bugs or security issues and remains disabled by default in this update.

Check Java version
>java -version
java version "1.6.0_22"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.6.0_22-b04-307-9M3263)
Java HotSpot(TM) 64-Bit Server VM (build 17.1-b03-307, mixed mode)


After updating Java from J2SE 5.0 to Java SE 6.0 with latest updates, we are now ready to install NetBeans ( IDE for Java,C,PHP.. more Programming)

Go to http://netbeans.org/downloads/index.html
and download your desired bundle for the Mac OS. It has pretty neat chart showing the NetBeans IDE support integration.

Since I am going to do basic Java SE programming, I will download very basic NetBeans IDE.

Install the downloaded .dmg file for NetBeans IDE and you are good to go.



[I have assumed that you know how to install the download .dmg file for Mac. It's easy. Just double click the respective downloaded .dmg file, the wizard will automatically walk you through the installation process]