Software Installation Instructions for COP2800
Ballinger, July 2, 2009

Installation instructions for typical Windows XP systems. All software listed below also has versions and installation instructions for Linux and Macintosh systems. The only caveat is that at the time of this writing Java 6 was not yet available for Mac Leopard. This is not a problem since all course code is compatible with Java 5.0 (also called 1.5).

Contents
Sun Java JDK — Sun Java Documentation — BlueJ — JEdit

Java SE Development Kit (JDK) 6.0 -- This must be installed! (Java 5.0 or later is required for this course)

File: jdk-6u14-windows-i586-p.exe, 73.48 MB, as of 7/2/09
URL :http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index.jsp (choose the version for your OS)

Mac Users: visit the Apple Mac OS X Java Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for developers (http://developer.apple.com/java/faq/) site. Macs come with Java pre-installed but you should read this over.

Linux Users: Although Sun offers installation instructions on the download site above, this site offers more step by step instructions: http://www.unix-tutorials.com/go.php?id=4023 .

  1. Check the web site to get the current version -- you do not need JavaFX or Netbeans.
  2. Installation instructions are also available on the java.sun.com website -- check to be sure there are no last minute changes
  3. Create a system restore point Online instructions often skip this step -- do it! In can prevent headaches in case you make a mistake setting the Environment Variables
    1. Start – Programs – Accessories – System Tools – System Restore
    2. Select Create a restore point, click next
  4. A simple installer, accept the defaults. It may take a while for the installer to begin.
  5. Add C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.6.0\bin to the PATH environment variable. (note: this will change with new releases)

      6. Be very careful not to erase or overwrite any existing path
      Have you created a restore point?

    1. Right click on My Computer
    2. Choose Properties
    3. Click Advanced tab
    4. Click Environment Variables button
    5. In bottom window (labeled System variables) scroll down and select Path
    6. Leaving the Environment Variables window open, use a Windows Explorer window to navigate to C:\Program files\java\jdk1.6.0_0\bin. Copy this path onto the clipboard from the address bar in the Windows Explorer window.
    7. Return to the Environment Variables window
    8. Double check that you have selected “Path” (not ClassPath, etc), click the Edit button.

    Be very careful not to erase or overwrite any existing path

    1. At the very end of the existing path (be sure you have used the right arrow key to scroll to the end), type a semi-colon and paste the path (C:\Program files\java\jdk1.6.0\bin) that you copied from windows explorer
           It should look like:
               existing path info ……;C:\Program files\java\jdk1.6.0\bin
    1. Check your work then click OK.
    2. Click OK.

    Here is a nice video showing this process, however be sure to create a System Restore Point before beginning.

J2SE 6.0 Documentation

This should be installed; otherwise you will need a live high-speed internet connection whenever you are programming.

File: jdk-6u10-docs.zip, 56.16 MB as of 7/2/09
URL: http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index.jsp (scroll down the page)

  1. Check the web siteto get the current version.
  2. A zip file, decompress
  3. Move the docs folder into C:\Program Files\Java\ . Sometimes unzipping generates extra nesting folders; be sure that the docs folder you are moving contains an index.html file and five folders. Actually you can place it anywhere you want; however, I find it useful to put it in this location.
  4. Delete the empty folders created by unzipping.
  5. Recommended step
    1. Navigate to C:\Program Files\Java\docs\api
    2. Right-click on index.html and choose send to desktop (create shortcut)
    3. Rename the new shortcut on your desktop to Java APIs

BlueJ -- An IDE we will be start using in the 2nd or 3rd week of the course.

File: BlueJ version 2.5.1  (as of 7/02/09)
URL: http://www.bluej.org/ 

  1. Check web site for upgrades: We want Official Release version not Development version
  2. A simple installer. Accept the defaults.
  3. The installer will install the executable bluej.exe. Execute this to run BlueJ.
  4. If you have more than one Java version installed, BlueJ will let you select your preferred version the first time it is executed. (Choose the version installed above)
  5. Tools – Preferences – Editor
    1. Check Show line numbers
  6. Tools – Preferences – Miscellaneous
    1. Check Show unit testing tools
  7. Close BlueJ

JEdit4.2 -- Optional

This is a programmer's text editor that is useful for small projects. It is a major step above notepad but is much simpler and does not impose the directory structure of the full-scale IDEs. Recommended if you do not already have TextPad or some other programmer's text editor.

File: jedit42install.exe (as of Nov 29)
URL: http://www.jedit.org/index.php?page=download 

  1. Check web site for upgrades: Download the Stable version (4.2 as of 7/0209) not the Development version -- you may need to scroll down to find it. Choose the Windows Installer
  2. A simple installer. Accept the defaults or choose not to install the API’s in order to save space (8.8 MB).
  3. Open JEdit
  4. From the Plugins menu, choose Plugins Manager
    1. Click the Download Options button
      1. Select JEdit application directory radio button
      2. Click the Update mirror list button
      3. Select a North American mirror
      4. Click Apply then OK
    2. Click the Install Tab
      1. Select the JCompiler and Java Core. (note: it will automatically select two additional plugins that these two need)
      2. Click the Install button
      3. Close the dialog box
  5. From the Plugins menu, choose Plugins Options
    1. Select Java Core
    2. Choose JCompiler from the drop down list next to "Preferred service for classpath and sourcepath".
    3. Click Apply then OK
  6. Close JEdit

NetBeans -- Wait to download.

This one of the top three full-scale professional IDEs for Java. Since we won't be using it until the last month of the course -- if at all; wait to download it because a new version may be available by that time.

netbeans-6.5-ml-javase-windows.exe (38.5 MB) (as of 12/28/08)
URL : http://www.netbeans.org/

  1. Check web site for upgrades: We want Stable version not Development version (6.5.0 as of 12/28/08). Choose the Windows Installer
  2. In the install wizard, respond to the License Agreement, then click Next.
  3. Specify an empty directory within which to install NetBeans IDE. Note: This NetBeans IDE will not disrupt the settings of your other NetBeans installations because the IDE automatically creates a new user directory when launched (${HOME}/.netbeans/5.5.1).
  4. Choose the JDK you want the IDE to use from the list of suitable choices (you should choose the SDK you installed above), then click Next.
  5. Verify that the installation location is correct and that you have adequate space on your system for the installation.
  6. Click Next to begin the installation.