user6211: I am having trouble opening the Arduino software on my mac, since I have updated Java to version 8 the Arduino software won't open. It does not give an error just closes instantly.
I have tried getting the newest version of the Arduino.cc site but no change.
Can anyone tell me how to open Arduino using an older version of Java?

user1307: Download and install the Apple version of Java (6): http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1572
If you need Java 8 SDK for some reason, the two can coexist because the Arduino IDE will explicitly ask for the (Apple Version) of Java 1.6 using 'JavaApplicationStub':
$ ./JavaApplicationStub
[JavaAppLauncher] Requested [1.5*], launching in [1.6] instead.
Experimental:  JNI_OnLoad called.
Stable Library
=========================================
Native lib Version = RXTX-2.1-7
Java lib Version   = RXTX-2.1-7

Note however that if you have both Apple Java and Oracle installed, running 'java' or 'javac' form the command line will run the Oracle version.
$ java -version
java version "1.8.0_25"

If you need to switch the 'command line' version, change the symlinks in:
/System/Library/Frameworks/JavaVM.framework/Versions/

'JavaApplicationStub' will use the Apple version located in /Library/Internet Plug-Ins/JavaAppletPlugin.plugin/Contents/Home/bin/java.  
As such, 'normal' java programs will generally use the Oracle version, while applications running in your browser or using JavaApplicationStub explicitly (like Arduino) will use the 'Apple' version.

6211: <p>I am having trouble opening the Arduino software on my mac, since I have updated Java to version 8 the Arduino software won't open. It does not give an error just closes instantly.</p>

<p>I have tried getting the newest version of the Arduino.cc site but no change.</p>

<p>Can anyone tell me how to open Arduino using an older version of Java?</p>
 1307: <p>Download and install the Apple version of Java (6): <a href="http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1572" rel="nofollow">http://support.apple.com/kb/DL1572</a></p>

<p>If you need Java 8 SDK for some reason, the two can coexist because the Arduino IDE will explicitly ask for the (Apple Version) of Java 1.6 using 'JavaApplicationStub':</p>

<pre><code>$ ./JavaApplicationStub
[JavaAppLauncher] Requested [1.5*], launching in [1.6] instead.
Experimental:  JNI_OnLoad called.
Stable Library
=========================================
Native lib Version = RXTX-2.1-7
Java lib Version   = RXTX-2.1-7
</code></pre>

<p>Note however that if you have both Apple Java and Oracle installed, running 'java' or 'javac' form the command line will run the Oracle version.</p>

<pre><code>$ java -version
java version "1.8.0_25"
</code></pre>

<p>If you need to switch the 'command line' version, change the symlinks in:</p>

<pre><code>/System/Library/Frameworks/JavaVM.framework/Versions/
</code></pre>

<p>'JavaApplicationStub' will use the Apple version located in /Library/Internet Plug-Ins/JavaAppletPlugin.plugin/Contents/Home/bin/java.  </p>

<p>As such, 'normal' java programs will generally use the Oracle version, while applications running in your browser or using JavaApplicationStub explicitly (like Arduino) will use the 'Apple' version.</p>
