IntelliJ & MAC and Java 1.8 — How when 1.6 seems to be default. Can't change?

Question

I am a MAC newbie - just recently was handed a mac at a new job. Anyways, I have IntelliJ installed and the default Java 1.6. Ok -- but I want to use Java 1.8 for all my projects. So, when I open IntelliJ and try to add a new SDK -- I can't or lets say _ "I have NO idea how".

My MAC: 10.9.5

When I run java -version, I get: 1.6 which Java: usr/bin/java

When I open 'spotlight' -> System Preferences -> Java -> Java Tab -> view -> I get: platform: 1.8 , product: 1.8.0_25, path: /Library/Internet Plug-Ins/JavaAppletPlugin.plugin/Contents/Home/bin/java

When I look under my "versions": System/Library/Versions... I only see: 1.5, 1.6

So, to be honest - I am very confused :-)

Any help on getting this 1.8 to be "seen"

Answer 1

You need to install the full Java SE Development Kit .

What you have at the moment is merely the Java plugin.