How to install SQL Developer on Ubuntu 14.04?

I installed SQL Developer with these steps:

1. (See the comments—this might not be necessary)
   Download and re-install newest Ubuntu 14.04 LTS from Ubuntu website.

2. Install Java:

   • Java Version JDK 7:

     sudo apt-get install openjdk-7-jdk openjdk-7-jre icedtea-7-plugin
     sudo update-alternatives --config java
     

   • Java Version JDK 8 (in some installations this is a requirement instead of 1.7):

     sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/java
     sudo apt-get update
     sudo apt-get install oracle-java8-installer
     sudo update-alternatives --config java
     

3. Download SQL Developer from Oracle website (I chose Other Platforms download).

4. Extract file to /opt:

   sudo unzip sqldeveloper-*-no-jre.zip -d /opt/
   sudo chmod +x /opt/sqldeveloper/sqldeveloper.sh
   

5. Linking over an in-path launcher for Oracle SQL Developer:

   sudo ln -s /opt/sqldeveloper/sqldeveloper.sh /usr/local/bin/sqldeveloper
   

6. Edit /opt/sqldeveloper/sqldeveloper.sh and replace it's content to:

   #!/bin/bash
   unset -v GNOME_DESKTOP_SESSION_ID
   cd /opt/sqldeveloper/sqldeveloper/bin
   ./sqldeveloper "$@"
   

   or (to prevent error: ./sqldeveloper: Permission denied)

   #!/bin/bash
   unset -v GNOME_DESKTOP_SESSION_ID
   cd /opt/sqldeveloper/sqldeveloper/bin && bash sqldeveloper $*
   

7. Run SQL Developer:

   sqldeveloper
   

   Note: When you run Sql Developer at the first time, you need to specify the path of JDK's folder. In my computer, JDK stored at /usr/lib/jvm/java-1.7.0-openjdk-amd64 For Java 8 and Ubuntu 16+ /usr/lib/jvm/java-8-oracle

8. Finally, create desktop application for easy to use:

   cd /usr/share/applications/
   sudo vim sqldeveloper.desktop
   

   add this lines:

   [Desktop Entry]
   Exec=sqldeveloper
   Terminal=false
   StartupNotify=true
   Categories=GNOME;Oracle;
   Type=Application
   Icon=/opt/sqldeveloper/icon.png
   Name=Oracle SQL Developer
   

   then type:

   sudo update-desktop-database
   

Here's how I did it on Ubuntu, I think this is the easiest way and will give you a package that you can easily reuse later (but you can't redistribute according to OTN license):

1. Downlod the sql developer package from here.

2. Install the sql developer package as the following.

   sudo apt-get install sqldeveloper-package debhelper openjdk-7-jdk openjdk-7-jre icedtea-7-plugin
   

3. Now all what you need to do is to run the command (you might have a different version)

   make-sqldeveloper-package sqldeveloper-4.1.3.20.78-no-jre.zip
   

4. This will generate a debian package that you can use to install sql developer.

5. Now install the resulting .deb package using the command (Your deb might have a different version too):

   sudo dpkg -i sqldeveloper_4.1.3.20.78+0.2.4-1_all.deb
   

6. You're now done with the installation. in my case it needed the new java 8 then you will need to run the following commands.

   sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/java
   sudo apt-get update 
   sudo apt-get install oracle-java8-installer
   

7. Finally you need to provide the java path for oracle sql developer at the first run in my case it was at /usr/lib/jvm/default-java/.

1. Install Java 6. (It didn't work for me with Java 1.7):

   sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/java  
   sudo apt-get update  
   sudo apt-get install oracle-java6-installer  
   

2. Download the SQL Developer from here and choose Other platforms. (You'll need an account in order to download it). Open the Downloads directory:

   cd ~/Downloads
   

   and extract the file to /opt:

   sudo unzip sqldeveloper-*-no-jre.zip -d /opt/  
   

3. Make the launch script executable:

   sudo chmod +x /opt/sqldeveloper/sqldeveloper.sh
   

4. Open sqldeveloper:

   sudo /opt/sqldeveloper/sqldeveloper.sh
   

   The first time you'll be asked to enter the jvm location. In my case (and probably yours if you have followed the first step), the location is: /usr/lib/jvm/java-6-oracle .