When I check my Java version like this: java -version I see openjdk version 1.8.0 runtime environment build ..., but I thought I had Java 8 installed. Why does the version number show up as 1.8? More on stackoverflow.com

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OpenJDK 8 is maintained by RedHat. They will support Java 8 until 2026: https://access.redhat.com/articles/1299013

Most OpenJDK vendors will do the same. Some (like Azul) are committing to December 2030 like Oracle. You should check with your vendor.

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The safest, easiest, option is to use the current JDK version (14).

Some companies that have yet to adapt to a change in the release model and have large codebases with a lot of technical debt prefer a slower, less-gradual upgrade style and so use some old version (usually 8 or 11) with a support service. But you're starting out in the new world, not encumbered by technical debt or old habits, and so there is no reason to use an old version and start figuring out which of the five or so support options is best for you. Always use the current JDK, which guarantees perpetual free support, has the best performance and always the latest features and bug fixes. The version number is bumped every six months but these integer-numbered versions called "feature releases" are no longer major releases like Java used to have until version 9, Java's last ever major release, but more like Chrome versions, making small gradual changes.

If somewhere down the line you'll work at a company with big projects and they prefer using older versions, by then you'll know what to do, so don't worry about it. The technical differences are not big (unless the version is very old, like 7), but support becomes more complicated.

Also note that, unlike in the past, the JDK requires no installation. Just download an IDE and point it at the library where you extracted the JDK. It's useful to also set the JAVA_HOME environment variable to the JDK directory, and add the bin subdirectory to your path if you'll work using the command line.

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