Getting Started with Java under Windows

• Questions and Answers
• Adjusting Windows Setup
• Downloading JDK and Docs
• Installing JDK and Docs
• Downloading and Installing JCreator
• Running a Java Program in JCreator
• Downloading and Installing Eclipse
• Running a Java Program from Command Prompt

What software do I need?

You need a Java compiler and an IDE.

What is a compiler?

A compiler translates Java code into bytecodes.

Where do I get it?

There is essentially only one Java compiler.  It is part of JDK (Java Development Kit) and it is available free for downloading from Sun Microsystems's web site.  The latest version, as of June 2009, is JDK 6.0, Update 14.  JDK also includes an interpreter that runs Java applications, appletviewer used for testing Java applets, a few other utility programs, and Java class libraries.

What is an IDE?

An IDE (Integrated Development Environment) serves as a front end for the Java compiler and interpreter.  It also includes an editor for writing Java code, a project maker, sometimes a debugger, all conveniently packaged into one program with a graphical user interface.

Where do I get an IDE?

Several free IDEs are available for downloading.  One, called NetBeans, is available from Sun in a "cobundle" with the JDK.  However, it may be too cumbersome for a beginner programmer.  A popular choice is JCreator LE from Xinox software. It is compact, easy to use, and it is free.  JCreator LE, the free version, does not have a debugger, which we consider a plus (see Top Ten Reasons Not to Use a Java Debugger in School).  On the opposite end of the spectrum is Eclipse: a professisonal IDE, highly configurable and loaded with convenience features, also available free.  It will take some getting used to, though.  Eclipse runs on both PCs and Macs.

What else do I need?

Get very proficient with viewing, moving, deleting, and renaming files and folders in Windows Explorer.

The following Windows configuration changes are not mandatory but will make working with Java easier:


• In any folder on the Tools menu choose Folder options. Click on the "View" tab, find and uncheck the "Hide extensions for known file types" box.
  
  
• You might find it more convenient to view folder contents as a list or a detailed list, rather than icons.
  
  
• You will use Windows Explorer often, so create a shortcut to it on the desktop.  To do that, go to Start/All Programs/Accessories, right click on Windows Explorer, choose Create Shortcut, then drag and drop the new shortcut to the desktop, and rename it.  It is possible to make Windows Explorer start in a particular folder.  To achieve that, right click on the shortcut, choose Properties, click on the Shortcut tab, and add /e, followed by a space and the folder name to the Target line.  For example:

  

  Click OK.
  
  

• If you plan to run your Java programs from Command Prompt, then under Programs/Accessories find Command Prompt (or MS-DOS Prompt in earlier versions of Windows) and put a shortcut to it on the desktop.
  
  

• To download JDK, go to

    http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index.jsp

  Find JDK 6 Update 14 (or the latest available) and click Download.  In the pop-down menu, select Windows platform, and check “I agree to the Java SE Development Kit 6u14 License Agreement” and click Continue.  Check the “Java SE Development Kit 6u14” and click on the name of the file jdk-6u14-windows-i586.exe.  Click Save in the dialog box that pops up and save the JDK file (about 73 MB) to the desktop or a folder of your choice.
  
  

• Now download the documentation.  To do that, return to the download page

    http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index.jsp

  Scroll down to Java SE Documentation and click Download. Choose Documentation and English from the pull-down lists, click Continue, and download the zipped documentation file (about 56 MB) to the desktop or a folder of your choice. 
  
  

• To download JCreator, go to

    http://www.jcreator.com/download.htm

  Choose the second link --

  JCreator LE v4.50

  It is free.

  Click on the Download button and download the JCreator setup file jcrea450_setup.exe (about 4 MB) to the desktop or a folder of your choice.
  
  

• To install JCreator, run jcrea450_setup.exe. Accept all the defaults.
  
  

• Start JCreator
• From the File menu choose New --> File, click on Java Classes, click on Empty Java File, click next.
• Type in the name of your file, for example, HelloWorld. Capitalization is important! Then click Finish. Browse to a folder where you want to save your file, for example, C:\mywork.
• Type in the text of a short Java program, for example:

  public class HelloWorld
  {
    public static void main(String[] args)
    {
      System.out.println("Hello, World!");
    }
  }

• From the Build menu choose Compile file or click on the "Compile file" button.
• From the Build menu choose Execute file or click on the "Execute file" button.
• In general, you will want to set up workspaces and projects in JCreator.  See detailed instructions for configuring and using JCreator.

• To download Eclipse, go to

    http://www.eclipse.org/downloads/

  Download the zipped Eclipse SDK file (over 100 MB).  Unzip it into a folder of your choice (for example C:\Program Files\Eclipse).  Unzipping may take quite a while.

  Eclipse does not require other installation: just create a shortcut to eclipse.exe on your desktop.

  Detailed instructions for configuring and using Eclipse will be available soon.