Java

TOPIC 04 – JAVA SOFTWARE

LESSON NOTE

WHAT DOES “INSTALLING JAVA” MEAN?

There are two possible answers. For most people, it simply means to install the JRE (Java Run-time Environment) which allows to a computer to execute Java applications that were create elsewhere.

For most people, this will simply be referred to as Installing Java. They will never have any use of installing anything else.

However, for programmers, installing java refers to the installation of the software required to create and execute Java applications. This involves installing the JDK (Java Development Kit).

Note that the JDK includes the JRE. So you do not need to install both.

WHAT DO WE NEED FOR OUR CLASS?

You need to install the JDK.

HOW DO WE FIND JAVA JDK?

Simply Google “Download Java JDK”. You must include “JDK” or you will be brought to a site to download the JRE for non-programmers. The JDK is found on the Oracle website.

HOW CAN I CHECK THAT THE JDK IS INSTALLED?

On a Windows machine, you can go to the command prompt, and type java -version to see the version of Java that is installed on your computer.

I am not sure if this can be done on a MAC machine.

IS THE JDK ALL WE NEED?

Technically, yes. You could simply use a simple text editor (such as Notepad) to edit your Java source code and then run both the compiler and interpreter in the command prompt (DOS). However, this will require that you are comfortable with navigating in the command prompt.

The image above shows the basic commands needed to compile and run Java programs in the DOS prompt. More details will be made available in the Resource section of the course.

INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT ENVIRONMENT

To simplify their lives, programmers usually use an IDE (Integrated Development Environment). That is simply a program that facilitates your job as a programmer. An IDE can:

· provide colour coding to you source code

· provide a quick compile button

· provide a quick execute button

· provide a location for debugger output (error output)

Essentially, the programmer will be able to do all work in one location.

FAMOUS JAVA IDE SOFTWARE

Here is a list of well known IDEs:

	A fully developed IDE – colour coding, compiling, debugging & interpreting. Oracle provides a download link to this IDE. Several textbooks have been written with this IDE in mind. If you try it, show it to me so that I can add better details here.
	A fully developed IDE – colour coding, compiling, debugging & interpreting. It also have built-in Android App development options. Many textbooks have been written for this IDE.
	A full IDE that provides colour coding,
	A simple text editor like Notepad that provides colour coding for many different languages. I don’t remember if it allows you to compile and interpret from within the software. I don’t think it does. Let me know if you try it.