Urgent computer help, please (Java)

[goobergunch]

I just installed the J2SE 1.4.2 SDK, and I can't find the place where you actually call up the JAVA interface and start programming. I need this for AP Computer Science.

So if any of you know what I should be clicking on...:shrug:

[goobergunch]

1. kick

:kick:

[htuttle]

2. I have no idea what platform you are on

But on a Unixy-type computer (or maybe Windows via DOS), you'd use a regular text editor to create the source code file, then compile it with a command like this (very simplified example):

javac HelloWorld.java

This will generate a 'HelloWorld.class' file, which you can run with the java command (via the command line).

That's the baseline way to do it. There are various ways this is simplified on different platforms (via GUIs, IDEs, Jar packagers, etc...). But that's the basic basics.

[CBGLuthier]

3. Ok it has been a while

But since no others are stepping forward.

There is no IDE with the Java SDK. You write programs in a text editor.

There should be some documentation that then tells you how to "compile" and run the program.

Hopefully someone with a little more recent experience with Java will weigh in and give you some advice.

I know you can download an IDE for free even but can not remember who makes it for sure. Maybe Borland.

I always kind of hated Java so haven't touched it in years.

[goobergunch]

4. I'm bugging a friend about it...

but thanks anyway.

[smaug]

6. Take a look at this site

Hey,

take a look at this site - might help you out a bit.

www.bluej.org

[alfredo]

8. BlueJ is cool

Nedit, Zoinks or any editor will do fine.

[Waistdeep]

5. The SDK is command line only, but

If you want a nice gui interface which will run on top of the SDK you just installed, install Netbeans. It's free, cross platform and works quite well. Another popular development environment is Eclipse.

[Kellanved]

7. Eclipse is excellent

And the free Edition of Borlands Jbuilder isn't bad either.
http://www.borland.com/jbuilder/personal/index.html

Have a look at the java Tutorial http://developer.java.sun.com/developer/onlineTraining/ A good ressource for learning Java.

[dfong63]

9. put the distrib's bin dir in your PATH,

... then call javac.

eg,
$ PATH=$PATH:/usr/java/j2sdk1.4.1_02/bin
$ javac HelloWorld.java