Installing the Java tools

This page tells you how to obtain and install the Java compiler and Eclipse programming environment on your computer. If you plan to use Skidmore's public PCs (which have these applications already installed), then proceed to "Tutorials" and link to the Eclipse tutorial. If you run into problems while installing or using these tools, check the tutorials and help sections for solutions.

Note: See the Help Links section for access to help files.

Downloading the applications.

Note: Each of the applications are occassionally upgraded (new versions), and it is important to choose the right mix of versions. For example, the latest, recent version of the SDK may not be fully compatible with the current version of Eclipse. Follow the recommendations below.

[NOTE: this imformation is now outdated. You need to explore the Sun website, as well as the Ecliple site to get the latest versions.

The Java 2 Platform Standard Edition (J2SE) from Sun Microsystems

Your computer first needs to have the Java SDK installed. (Software Developer's Kit from Sun)

PC and Linux version: J2SE 5.0

You can obtain this from the following source:

    http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.5.0/download.jsp

    Be sure to download the J2SE JDK version (you don't need the one with NetBeans cobundled and DO NOT download the JRE version). Just choose the platform you plan to install on (e.g. Windows). You will be asked a number of questions (decide whether you want to receive emails from Sun MicroSystems) and be sure to accept the terms and conditions that are presented. After the file is downloaded, run it on your PC. This will install the compiler. During installation, you may define the home folder for the SDK or use the default.

    Note: What is the JRE? The Java Runtime Environment is the Java interpreter that executes Java applications and applets. The JDK includes the runtime along with other tools needed to develop Java applications and applets. For users who just need to run Java code, the JRE is all they need. For developers (and CS students), download the JDK.

    Mac versions: 1.4.2 and Java 2 SE 5.0

    Users are encouraged to use Apple's OSX operating system, version 10.3 or higher. OSX includes the full version of Java 2, Standard Edition, version 1.4.2, and you can obtain the latest 1.4.2 Java update at:

    http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/apple/javaupdate142.html

    Java 2 Platform Standard Edition (J2SE) 5.0 Release 1 provides support for J2SE 5.0 on Mac OS X 10.4. This update does not change the default version of Java on your Mac from Java 1.4.2 to J2SE 5.0, though Java applications that require J2SE 5.0 may specifically request it. If you want to change the default Java version for applications and applets, use the new Java Preferences utility that is installed by the J2SE 5.0 update on the Mac at /Applications/Utilities/Java/J2SE 5.0/.

    Installing J2SE 5.0 Release 1 (FOR OSX 10.4 OR LATER)

    • Get the J2SE 5.0 Update here. (Once there, click link in the top right box.)
    • Double-click the "J2SE50Release1.dmg" disk image file that you downloaded, and it will mount to appear as a disk in the Finder.
    • Open the mounted disk, then double-click the Installer icon.
    • Follow the onscreen instructions to complete the installation.
    Note: If you are not running OSX 1.4 or later, do not install J2wSE 5.0.

Eclipse

Note: to upgrade an existing version of Eclipse, see Help | Software upgrades from the Eclipse menu.

Eclipse is a large, professional IDE (integrated developer's environment) developed by a consortium of companies led by IBM. You should have at least 80 MB of free disk space for Eclipse.
Version: 3.1

You can obtain this from the following source: http://www.eclipse.org/downloads/index.php

Eclipse supports all major platforms, so be sure to choose the right one for your computer.

  1. For Windows platforms, after downloading, extract the zip file to a drive; the unzipped files will be placed in a subfolder named eclipse. For example, extract to C:\. Once extracted, invoke the file c:\eclipse\eclipse.exe to begin using Eclipse.

  2. On the Mac, download and decompress the file. The resulting folder (named "eclipse") can then be moved to the Applications folder on your Mac. Invoke Eclipse.app in that folder to begin using Eclipse.

EMF and UML2

These plugins may be used in future courses. For now, students don't need to download them.

Using a USB flash drive

Students might consider buying a flash drive to use for storing files when using lab and other public machines. Using a flash drive avoids the need to store Eclipse workspaces remotely on Datastor or other shared drives. Saving Java project files on remote servers is not problematic, but storing workspace folders there can be.

Thank you for visiting the Java Web site - Come back again soon.