Downloading Java

In order to create applets that run in Java-enabled browsers or develop Java applications you will need one of the Java Developer's Kits (JDK).  You can purchase one of the commercially available kits like Microsoft's Visual Java or Sun's Java Workshop for around $100 or you can download the command line based kit used in this tutorial for free at the site below.  If you purchase one of the commercial kits please read the documentation to familiarize yourself with the mechanics of creating applets and applications (and .mak files and...) before trying to write and compile any of the programs in the tutorial.  

 

If you are using Windows 95 or NT and want to use the free command line based JDK we will use in this tutorial you can download the version directly by following the instructions below.

  1. Remove any previous version by deleting any 'Java' directory.
  2. Download the Developer's kit by clicking on the hyperlink below.
    J2EE 1.4  SDK !
    (If you want the older versions go to http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.3/index.html or http://java.sun.com/products/jdk/1.2/index.html)
    The file is a self extracting archive file.
    (Please note that this is a very large file. Please check with your network administrator before downloading.)
  3. Copy the archive file to the root of the drive where you want to install Java and run it. It will create a Java directory and copy all the needed files.
  4. Edit the autoexec.bat file and ensure that the PATH statement contains the \jdk1.3.1_02\BIN directory. (e.g. If you installed Java in your C: drive make sure there is a SET Path=C:\jdk1.3.1_02\bin;%path%
    You will also need  a SET CLASSPATH=C:\JAVA\LIB;.; line in the AUTOEXEC.BAT if you want to run applications from the command line)

You might need to reboot your computer so that you will be ready to begin using the JDK.

 

If you are using a platform other than Windows 95 the (JDK) is available at the site below.

http://www.javasoft.com/products/JDK/index.html


Or if you already have a commercial JDK and are ready to start then
Go to the next topic: The Java Programming Cycle

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