there are three ways installing java. 1.default-jre/jdk 2. open-jdk 2. oracle java 1. default jre/jdk sudo apt-get install default-jre default-jdk 2. openjdk-7-jre/jdk sudo apt-get install openjdk-7-jre openjdk-7-jdk 3. oracle java sudo apt-get install python-software-properties sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/java sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install oracle-java6-installer sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install -f oracle-java7-installer sudo apt-get install -f oracle-java8-installer * switching jdks using update-alternatives between jdks sudo update-alternatives --config java REF - http://askubuntu.com/questions/163429/error-when-installing-oracle-java7-installer - http://stackoverflow.com/questions/22541853/oracle-java-7-installation-in-ubuntu-e-sub-process-usr-bin-dpkg-returned-an-er/22955890#22955890