Java refers to a number of computer software products and specifications from Sun Microsystems that together provide a system for developing application software and deploying it in a cross-platform environment. Java is used in a wide variety of computing platforms from embedded devices and mobile phones on the low end, to enterprise servers and supercomputers on the high end. Java is nearly ubiquitous in mobile phones, Web servers and enterprise applications, and while less common on desktop computers, Java applets are often used to provide improved functionality while browsing the World Wide Web.
Important Note:- After completing java6 installation you need to remove newly added source list otherwise it will install all the packages from unstable
First you need to edit /etc/apt/sources.list file add the following line
deb http://ftp.debian.org/debian unstable non-free
save and exit the file
Now update the source list using the following command
#apt-get update
If you install any previous versions of sun java please remove before proceeding next step
#apt-get install sun-java6-jre
Google apt-pinning….
its common practice to run mixed level machines, but you MUST MUST MUST always have valid locations for installed packages, otherwise there is no point in having a package manager.
the correct way to do java6 would be to add the unstable or testing sources, then using a preference pin stable way above(numerically) the other repos, and only allow java6 and its dependancies in from the other repos.
http://wiki.debian.org/AptPinning
more simple
add to /etc/apt/source.list
deb http://www.backports.org/debian/ etch-backports main contrib non-free
aptitude update
aptitude install sun-java6-jre
hahaha – I never bothered to even check the backports repo, but with my old Sarge Boxes, we would always use them.
Dont forget to install the backports-keyring into apt so you dont get warnings.
http://backports.org/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=instructions