Installing Java on Your Own Machine

Take CS 5 home -- or at least back to your dorm room :-)! Below are detailed instructions for setting up your machine with the software needed so that you can compile and run java from there.

This page was quickly updated to reflect the latest technology. Please email me if you find any type-os or have suggestions for improvement. Thanks!

Windows

1. Check for Java itself
   
   To see if you have the Java SDK (software development kit) already on your computer, search for a file name javac.exe. If you don't have at least version 1.5.0..., definitely download the newest one:
• The latest is available by going to http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.5.0/download.jsp and then clicking on the Download JDK 5.0 Update 4 link. You'll first want to click Accept License Agreement and then click on the Windows Online Installation (Multi-language).
• The download will produce jdk-1_5_0_04-windows-i586-p-iftw.exe, which you'll need to run. Again, you'll want to Accept the license agreement. Then, install the default packages, select a location to put this in (some people like to store it in their C:\Program Files\Java\ directory), register the explorer, and click Finish.


2. An IDE (or not)
   
   It's actually not necessary to install JCreator to write Java programs (see the command-line instructions for more), but it can make programming easier -- and it's what we'll be using in the PC labs.
   
   If you'd like to use JCreator (PC only) it's freely available at http://www.jcreator.com/download.htm:
   • You'll want to download the JCreator LE v3.50 version (its what we're using in the PC lab), but first you'll have to fill out the request to JCreator and submit it. Shortly thereafter, you should receive an email (provided you type your email correctly!) with instructions on how to download your own free copy.
   • Once you've downloaded your own copy (and run the install setup program), either choose to run JCreator at the end of the installation process or double-click the desktop icon to run it for the first time. Three setup screens will appear:
     • On the first screen, accept the file mappings it suggests.
     • On the second screen, it should find your java SDK installation. If it does not, click the browse button to show it where it is.
     • On the third screen, just click finish. (You can install the Java library documentation at http://java.sun.com/docs/ if you like, but we won't be using it in CS 5.)
   • After setup, you should see the main JCreator screen with no files open. You will probably want to exit JCreator for now (until you download the CS 5 software).
   • Now you're ready to test out your work by downloading a homework problem (this time you don't necessarily have to use H:, unless you want to map your charlie drive to your own computer. Once you've downloaded (or copied over from charlie) a Hw..Pr.. file, open this folder and click on the CS5hw.jcw file. This should open JCreator with the associated CS5App.java file displayed inside. Now you're ready to run and compile...

Mac OS X