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Java Forum / General / December 2005Help on the necessary tools to start programming in Java
Hello all, I am very keen to start learning a new programming language and have chosen Java as it is more productive than the previous language i have learnt. I have chosen a book to start learning from but the CD Rom is missing which contains the necessary tools and libraries etc to install for me to begin. I have already installed the following from the main java website: Java(TM) 2 Platform Standard Edition Runtime Environment Version 5.0 I have installed this program and then tried to compile a program in Command Prompt after saving a file as myProgram.java. I used the following line to start.... vi myProgram.java I found this didnt do a thing. The question i am asking is, do i have all the necessary tools to start and how do i actually compile a program. Thanks for the time taken in reading this article. Jonathan Start here: http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/reallybigindex.html#getStarted > Hello all, > [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > > Jonathan 'vi myProgram.java' launches the vi editor. You can use any editor you like. If you are on windows notepad, on linux use emacs or wathever (vi is maybe not the easiest one). to compile your program: javac myProgram.java to run your program: java myProgram In addition to what others have said you can install Eclipse IDE which is free. Although, it will take some time to learn it fully it is better to start early. Amit :-) Newbies shouldn't use IDEs. [1] In a course I taught, the students quickly demonstrated their lack of ability to use command lines, so we used BlueJ. BlueJ quickly demonstrated its lack of ability to work, so the next course used JCreator. JCreator worked pretty well, but I'd still suggest using the command line at the start. Unfortunately, our systems are poorly set up, so every time they start cmd.exe they need to do set PATH=%PATH%;c:\java\whatever This added complication puts students off using cmd.exe. Plus, none of them already know the nice stuff that it offers, such as history and tab-completion. Cygwin would be even better, but again it might require too much instruction before getting started. [1] http://jqa.tmorris.net/GetQAndA.action?qids=52&showAnswers=true > Newbies shouldn't use IDEs. [1] > [quoted text clipped - 18 lines] > > [1] http://jqa.tmorris.net/GetQAndA.action?qids=52&showAnswers=true May I suggest TextPad (people who read this group regularly must be getting pretty tired of me saying that). If textpad is installed after the JDK, it will automatically add items in the menu to compile & run java applets & applications. This works well for the the type of projects new java students get: they can type the code, compile and run all in one place, without having the downsides of a complete IDE. I have encountered problems when using multiple packages, but I'm sure these can be resolved if you check out textpad's configuration. And you normally wouldn't cover custom packages too early in the course anyway.  SignatureBeware the False Authority Syndrome I would like to thank everyone on their rather suprisingly quick replies on this subject. I will go through the steps stated by 'zero' and hopefully be up and programming in no time. Thanks for your time and support. Jonathan > May I suggest TextPad (people who read this group regularly must be getting > pretty tired of me saying that). If textpad is installed after the JDK, it [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > if you check out textpad's configuration. And you normally wouldn't cover > custom packages too early in the course anyway. TextPad is not free. Why should anyone pay a penny to learn java? the best way to start (in my opinion ofcourse) is the command line, and the tutorials at java.sun.com On windows, notepad should be enough, or maybe notepad2 (http://www.flos-freeware.ch/notepad2.html) which is free and has syntax hilighting. once one is comfortable with the command line, it will be time to try one of the free IDE's (such as Netbeans or Eclipse) that will make life easier and has more features such as easier compiling, debugging, code completion, on-the-fly javadoc, etc. etc. thanks >> May I suggest TextPad (people who read this group regularly must be >> getting pretty tired of me saying that). If textpad is installed [quoted text clipped - 21 lines] > > thanks I agree with hilz, but for an IDE I would start out with either JGRASP or BlueJ before Netbeans or Eclipse. Both where developed and being used at university. BlueJ to learn the OOD\OOP side of Java. http://www.bluej.org/ http://www.eng.auburn.edu/department/cse/research/grasp/ Thanks in Advance... IchBin, Pocono Lake, Pa, USA http://weconsultants.servebeer.com/JHackerAppManager __________________________________________________________________________ 'If there is one, Knowledge is the "Fountain of Youth"' -William E. Taylor, Regular Guy (1952-) ok thanks > Hello all, > [quoted text clipped - 27 lines] > > Jonathan You seem to be using Windows XP, so vi won't work - it's a linux tool. In addition to the runtime environment that you already installed, you'll need: 1. The JDK (look for JDK 5.0 at sun's downloads page). This is the one that actually compiles the programs you write. 2. A text editor. Notepad will do, but there are better options. I suggest textpad, www.textpad.com - but there are others of course. 3. remember that your filename must be *exactly* the same as the class name - including capitalization. And, by convention, class names should start with a capital letter, so use MyProgram.java instead of myProgram.java. 4. a bookmark to http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.5.0/docs/api/ That's where you'll find the details of the java libraries. 5. dedication Good luck :-) SignatureBeware the False Authority Syndrome On 13 Dec 2005 05:48:52 -0800, "JavaScriptJon" <fishingmad1_2002@hotmail.com> wrote, quoted or indirectly quoted someone who said : >I am very keen to start learning a new programming language and have >chosen Java as it is more productive than the previous language i have >learnt. see http://mindprod.com/jgloss/gettingstarted.html SignatureCanadian Mind Products, Roedy Green. http://mindprod.com Java custom programming, consulting and coaching. Free MagazinesGet these publications absolutely FREE for up to 12 months. There are no hidden fees and no obligation. Simply choose a title, complete the application form and submit it. Read more ...
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