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As is the case with many worthwhile endeavors, Java programming requires that you have some tools to begin. Fortunately, all of the software tools that youwill need to get started programming in Java are available for free downloading.
In addition to a computer with web access, you will need:
The JDK, the JRE, and the API documentation are all freely available from Oracle. As of January 2016, you will find links to the documentation on the webpage titled Java Platform Standard Edition 8 Documentation . (The links given in this module may change as new versions of Java are released, but newer versions shouldn't be too difficult to locate with a websearch.)
Download
The JDK and the included JRE can be downloaded from (External Link) That page provides several download options. Beginners should download the Java Platform (JDK) for the latest released version. (The JRE is included in the JDK package, so you don't need to download both.)
Install
You will also probably need to follow the installation instructions for your computer. Pay particular attention to the instructions for setting the path and classpath environment variables. This is where many students stumble. Another usefuldocument on the path and classpath is available at (External Link)
The Java Platform, Standard Edition 8 API Specification is available here . You should be able to find the documentation for later versions with a web search.
Also see my Java OOP documentation module for instructions on how to use the documentation.
The module titled Jb0110: Java OOP: Programming Fundamentals, Getting Started explains how to use a text editor to create Java program code. Just about any text editor willdo as long as you can ensure that the file name extension is .java. Something as simple as Windows Notepad or Windows WordPad would probably be best for your first few simple programs.
Soon, however, you will probably want to upgrade to an editor that uses different colors to identify the different parts of your program. My favoritecolor-coded editor is the free version of JCreator . (The free version seems to have disappeared from their web page so you may have trouble finding it.)
Another free editor is DrJava . An advantage of this editor is that it can be run from a USB drive with no installation required. Anotherpossibility, although I have never had occasion to use it, is jGRASP . Numerous other Java color-coded editors, including BlueJ are available for free downloading on the web.
This section contains a variety of miscellaneous information.
Financial : Although the Connexions site makes it possible for you to download aPDF file for this module at no charge, and also makes it possible for you to purchase a pre-printed version of the PDF file, youshould be aware that some of the HTML elements in this module may not translate well into PDF.
I also want you to know that I receive no financial compensation from the Connexions website even if you purchase the PDF version ofthe module.
In the past, unknown individuals have copied my modules from cnx.org, converted them to Kindle books, and placed them for sale onAmazon.com showing me as the author. I neither receive compensation for those sales nor do I know who does receive compensation. If youpurchase such a book, please be aware that it is a copy of a module that is freely available on cnx.org and that it was made andpublished without my prior knowledge.
Affiliation : I am a professor of Computer Information Technology at Austin Community College in Austin, TX.
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