update-alternatives

Add a symbolic link

$ sudo update-alternatives --install [path/to/symlink] [command_name] [path/to/binary] [priority]

$ sudo update-alternatives --config [java]

$ sudo update-alternatives --remove [java] [/opt/java/jdk1.8.0_102/bin/java]

$ update-alternatives --display [java]

$ update-alternatives --get-selections

update-alternatives [option] command

update-alternatives maintains symbolic links that determine default commands when multiple versions of a program are installed. It manages a directory of links in /etc/alternatives/ that point to actual program binaries.
Common uses include managing multiple Java versions, editors, or compilers. Higher priority numbers are preferred in automatic mode.

--install _link_ _name_ _path_ _priority_

Add an alternative for name with specified priority

Interactively configure alternatives for name

Remove a specific alternative

Display information about alternatives for name

List all configured alternatives

Set the alternative non-interactively

Switch to automatic mode (highest priority wins)

List all alternatives for a name

Requires root privileges to modify. Priority numbers determine automatic selection. Manual mode persists until explicitly changed. Debian/Ubuntu specific; Red Hat uses alternatives command.

alternatives(8), ln(1)