I installed SQL Developer with these steps:

1. (See the comments—this might not be necessary)
   
   Download and re-install newest Ubuntu 14.04 LTS from Ubuntu website.




2. Install Java:

   
   
   
   
   

   • Java Version JDK 7:

     
     
     

     sudo apt-get install openjdk-7-jdk openjdk-7-jre icedtea-7-plugin
     
     sudo update-alternatives --config java
     
     

   
   

   • Java Version JDK 8 (in some installations this is a requirement instead of 1.7):

     
     
     

     sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/java
     
     sudo apt-get update
     
     sudo apt-get install oracle-java8-installer
     
     sudo update-alternatives --config java
     
     

   
   



3. Download SQL Developer from Oracle website (I chose Other Platforms download).




4. Extract file to /opt:

   
   
   

   sudo unzip sqldeveloper-*-no-jre.zip -d /opt/
   
   sudo chmod +x /opt/sqldeveloper/sqldeveloper.sh
   
   




5. Linking over an in-path launcher for Oracle SQL Developer:

   
   
   

   sudo ln -s /opt/sqldeveloper/sqldeveloper.sh /usr/local/bin/sqldeveloper
   
   




6. Edit /opt/sqldeveloper/sqldeveloper.sh and replace it's content to:

   
   
   

   #!/bin/bash
   
   unset -v GNOME_DESKTOP_SESSION_ID
   
   cd /opt/sqldeveloper/sqldeveloper/bin
   
   ./sqldeveloper "$@"
   
   

   
   
   

   or (to prevent error: ./sqldeveloper: Permission denied)

   
   
   

   #!/bin/bash
   
   unset -v GNOME_DESKTOP_SESSION_ID
   
   cd /opt/sqldeveloper/sqldeveloper/bin && bash sqldeveloper $*
   
   




7. Run SQL Developer:

   
   
   

   sqldeveloper
   
   

   
   
   

   
   

   Note: When you run Sql Developer at the first time, you need to
   specify the path of JDK's folder. In my computer, JDK stored at
   /usr/lib/jvm/java-1.7.0-openjdk-amd64
   For Java 8 and Ubuntu 16+ /usr/lib/jvm/java-8-oracle

   
   




8. Finally, create desktop application for easy to use:

   
   
   

   cd /usr/share/applications/
   
   sudo vim sqldeveloper.desktop
   
   

   
   
   

   add this lines:

   
   
   

   [Desktop Entry]
   
   Exec=sqldeveloper
   
   Terminal=false
   
   StartupNotify=true
   
   Categories=GNOME;Oracle;
   
   Type=Application
   
   Icon=/opt/sqldeveloper/icon.png
   
   Name=Oracle SQL Developer
   
   

   
   
   

   then type:

   
   
   

   sudo update-desktop-database