Why won't SQL Developer accept a JDK?

Question

I downloaded Oracle 11g r2 and am trying to launch SQL Developer for the first time. However, it is asking for a JDK path. When I first tried a java.exe that I already had installed on my PC, SQL Developer said that it was not a JDK, so I tried the following steps, which have not yet resolved the problem.

1.) I went to the oracle jdk download page and explicitly downloaded jdk-8u-74-windows-x64,exe shown below

2.) I then let the installer install the program to C:\\ProgramFiles\\Java\\jdk1.8_74\\

3.) I next pointed the Oracle SQL Developer dialog box to the path of the java.exe in this new directory.

But Oracle SQL Developer just replaces the dialog box with a new empty dialog box. This repeats every time that I try.

Why can't Oracle SQL Developer accept this JDK? What specific steps need to be taken to get Oracle SQL Developer to the point where it understands that it has a JDK and thus moves further into the launch process?

A screen shot is at the following link:

http://s13.postimg.org/ilsqjdj1z/sql_developer_jdk.jpg

I would embed the url of the image into this view, but I need at least 10 reputation points to do that. So please click the link to view the screen shot.

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Continuing Research:

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I repeated the steps above with JDK 6, Build 45, but am getting the same failed results.

I would ask this in chat, but I need at least 20 reputation points to talk in a chat room.

Answer 1

If you are installing on 64-bit windows, get the 64-bit SQL Dev. It has the java built in, and so does not require the extra JDK.

Answer 2

It's possible you had a JRE, and not a JDK. Also, when it prompts for a path, don't select the Java.exe, instead you want the 'Java Home', for example: C:\\Program Files\\Java\\JDK1.8.0_60

Some more details here

Or, if you're on a Mac .

Or, if your 'java' moves on you - common on Mac's after an OS upgrade.