Help with installing Java

[noagname]

I have a book to learn Java, and need to download the SDK. When I go to their site, I have trouble finding what I need - I don't want 50 things bundled with it or 20 new programs they want to push. I just want the SDK so I can compile in command line and run in command line, nothing more than that. I'm a Windows XP user and don't care if it's an older version even. I just want to be able to use the javac and java command in command prompt. Can someone here help me get started? I'm just starting to learn and this seems to be more complicated than the programming language itself...

 

[txrandom]

This may not take you to the same page, but try http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index.jsp. If that doesn't work, search around till you find JDK 6u1.

 

[noagname]

thanks but thats not it

 

[noagname]

I installed the JDK, I think it's the right one now, but how do I create a javac command to compile a program with?

 

[esun]

If you open a command line, javac should already be available (I believe installing the Java SDK puts javac in your path).

 

[aceO07]

I would recommend using an IDE (integrated development environment) to do coding in. That would help you by providing code completion. It will let you see what methods are available and pull up docs. Try Eclipse first, if that's too much try Netbeans.

 

[imported_Ned Flanders]

You are looking to download the Java JDK SE (Standard Edition)

 

[GoatMonkey]

Books always walk you through command line compiling first. That's a nice thing to know how to do, but once you've done it a couple of times you should probably move on. With any project that has more than a few files a nice IDE that handles the compiling will really help you out. If you go with Eclipse you're probably going to want to make a simple Ant script for compiling. After you have set it up once for a project you probably won't have to touch it again.

 

[mundane]

Originally posted by: GoatMonkey
Books always walk you through command line compiling first. That's a nice thing to know how to do, but once you've done it a couple of times you should probably move on. With any project that has more than a few files a nice IDE that handles the compiling will really help you out. If you go with Eclipse you're probably going to want to make a simple Ant script for compiling. After you have set it up once for a project you probably won't have to touch it again.

Eclipse manages all of the ant stuff for you. I should know, I've used it as a crutch to avoid actually learning the tools for too long

 

[txrandom]

Originally posted by: noagname
I installed the JDK, I think it's the right one now, but how do I create a javac command to compile a program with?

You should be able to just use javac and java straight from the command prompt. You probably don't have the path set up right. Try googling for how to do that.

 

[aceO07]

Originally posted by: mundane

Originally posted by: GoatMonkey
Books always walk you through command line compiling first. That's a nice thing to know how to do, but once you've done it a couple of times you should probably move on. With any project that has more than a few files a nice IDE that handles the compiling will really help you out. If you go with Eclipse you're probably going to want to make a simple Ant script for compiling. After you have set it up once for a project you probably won't have to touch it again.

Eclipse manages all of the ant stuff for you. I should know, I've used it as a crutch to avoid actually learning the tools for too long

Just curious, but what aspects of the tools did you feel you needed to know? I've used it for a few very small compiles, and some of the other tools as well. Most of my work is done in some IDE.

 

[stevf]

quote:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by: noagname
I installed the JDK, I think it's the right one now, but how do I create a javac command to compile a program with?
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------



You should be able to just use javac and java straight from the command prompt. You probably don't have the path set up right. Try googling for how to do that

Yes, assuming you installed JDK correctly it should have the path set right. to compile your program make sure you are in the directory with your .java file and type:

javac YourProgramName.java

the file name is case sensitive and you need the .java extension. Once you got it compiled to run it you use:

java YourProgramName

you dont need the .class extension when you type this name but as above you must get the case correct

hope that helps

 

[noagname]

Originally posted by: txrandom
This may not take you to the same page, but try http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index.jsp. If that doesn't work, search around till you find JDK 6u1.

hey i have been away for some time
and i got vista which one should i download

 

[Schadenfroh]

Or you could just join the the darkside:

Download
:evil:

 

[noagname]

no thanks
i think my problem is the java program but i am just not able to compile it
when i type "javac" into it command prompt does not know what that means
http://img468.imageshack.us/my.php?image=commandso7.jpg
this is what it looks like
all i want to do is compile a simple program
just so you know again i have vista

 

[noagname]

also i downloaded a ton of different versions they all seemed to be installed properly
but this is the latest one
http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.4.2/download.html
that is what my very old book tells me to install
well it tells me to install 1.3 but i was not able to download that one
so i went for 1.4

 

[mundane]

You need to have the binaries within your PATH. See item number 5 in the following link

 

[aceO07]

The latest version of java is 1.6u2. However, for what you're doing. 1.4 is good enough. It might be good since some classes that you may use might have been deprecated in later versions.

It looks like you need add the installation folder into your PATH environment variable for Windows.. go to Control Panel -> System -> Advanced -> Environment Variables. Edit the line that says 'path' and add the java installation folder + the bin folder. like this path = C:\utils;C:\fobar;C:\Java\jdk1.5.0_06\bin;

If you don't do this, you'll need to reference the full path to the javac executable everytime you want to use it.

edit: I type slow.

 

[noagname]

thanks
i got it to work