How to set JAVA_HOME in Linux for all users

1. find /usr/lib/jvm/java-1.x.x-openjdk

2. vim /etc/profile

   Prepend sudo if logged in as not-privileged user, ie. sudo vim

3. Press 'i' to get in insert mode

4. add:

   export JAVA_HOME="path that you found"
   
   export PATH=$JAVA_HOME/bin:$PATH
   

5. logout and login again, reboot, or use source /etc/profile to apply changes immediately in your current shell

For all users, I would recommend creating a file in /etc/profile.d/java_home.sh the following lines

# Set JDK installation directory according to selected Java compiler

export JAVA_HOME=$(readlink -f /usr/bin/javac | sed "s:/bin/javac::")

This will update dynamically and works well with the alternatives system. Do note though that the update will only take place in a new login shell.

You could use /etc/profile or better a file like /etc/profile.d/jdk_home.sh

export JAVA_HOME=/usr/java/jdk1.7.0_05/

You have to remember that this file is only loaded with new login shells.. So after bash -l or a new gnome-session and that it doesn't change with new Java versions.