SDKMan (Software Development Kit Manager) is a tool for managing parallel versions of multiple Software Development Kits (SDKs) on most Unix-based systems. It simplifies the installation, switching, and configuration of SDKs, making it particularly useful for developers who work with multiple languages or frameworks.
Key features of SDKMan include:
Version Management: SDKMan allows users to install, update, and switch between different versions of SDKs seamlessly. This is particularly beneficial for managing dependencies and ensuring compatibility across different projects.
Wide Range of SDKs: SDKMan supports a variety of SDKs including Java, Groovy, Scala, Kotlin, Ceylon, Grails, SBT, Maven, and many more. This extensive support makes it a versatile tool for developers working in different ecosystems.
Ease of Use: The command-line interface of SDKMan is intuitive and user-friendly, enabling developers to perform complex tasks with simple commands. For example, commands like
sdk install java,sdk use java 11.0.2-open, andsdk list javaprovide straightforward ways to manage Java installations.Environment Management: SDKMan can handle environment variables specific to SDK versions, which helps avoid conflicts and ensures that the correct versions are used in different development contexts.
Automation and Scripting: SDKMan can be easily integrated into scripts and CI/CD pipelines, allowing for automated setup and consistent development environments across teams and machines.
SDKMan is highly valued in the developer community for its ability to streamline the management of development environments, reduce setup time, and increase productivity by handling the complexities of SDK dependencies and configurations.
To get started with SDKMan simply follow this link