Setting up Java

Tableman

Ok, I am completely new to Java and have decided I am going to get into it in 2009, so I want to start writing some simple programs now to get into it. Therefore, I need an application to compile & run the code that I write. I found the following:

http://www.javacoffeebreak.com/tutorials/gettingstarted/part1b.html

which explains how to install the JDK. I have to modify the autoexec file. However, how do you do this? I cannot seem to open with a text editor and I do not know if I should enter some command in the dos screen (hen I open the file, I see a dos screen which says "preparing to start your comuter... Retry, Abort or Fail)

Cantab.

Tableman wrote: »

Ok, I am completely new to Java and have decided I am going to get into it in 2009, so I want to start writing some simple programs now to get into it. Therefore, I need an application to compile & run the code that I write. I found the following:

http://www.javacoffeebreak.com/tutorials/gettingstarted/part1b.html

which explains how to install the JDK. I have to modify the autoexec file. However, how do you do this? I cannot seem to open with a text editor and I do not know if I should enter some command in the dos screen (hen I open the file, I see a dos screen which says "preparing to start your comuter... Retry, Abort or Fail)

Seriously mate:

"Copyright 1998, 1999, 2000"

Why don't you just look at the documentation that comes with your version of the jdk? IIRC, if you download the windows binary, it will set everything up for you, including modifying the registry so you can run the compiler straight away.

Why don't you just right click on the "My Computer" icon, click "properties", etc. Add the java/bin directory to the path that way.

Fire up a new command window, type in 'javac' and see if it spits out the version number, etc.

It's not rocket science.

NotMe

Was writing a reply but cantab. beat me to it. That tutorial is ancient. You don't need to worry about autoexec.bat unless you're using windows98.

Webmonkey

Easiest way to get everything up and running fast with a IDE and all i just to download the Netbeans + JDK bundle. http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/netbeans.html

Civilian_Target

Exactly.

Go to java.sun.com and download Java 6 SDK. Install it.
Go to eclipse.org and download Eclipse for Java. Install it.

Open Eclipse. Make new project. Make new class. Add main method. Write code. Press play button.

hobochris

As said above just use the windows binaries. or netbeans.

probably the best ide's in my opinion would be
1.Netbeans. <-- good all rounder, usually bundled with everything needed for J2SE,J2EE + J2Me
2.Eclipse <-- good for web development things like RAD can be added.
3.Jcreator <-- very simple ideal for server side work

codecrunchers

Eclipse rocks, multiplatform, multi language -- bar some memory hogging issues, this is the way to go.....SVN, CVS, GIT, GUI design - all the features of a professional suite.

Alan