Java First Steps

(Free Web Tutorials & Resources)

by Michael Thomas

This page has info on some of the first steps you will need to take to work with Java.

( Home Page: Free Web Tutorials on Java & Web Technologies )

This tutorial covers: JDK 1.6.0_03 (as of 05/10/08)

Free Download

• Download - a zip file of the website pertaining to this topic (all content, tutorials, examples, etc...).  Great resource!!!  Work offline!!!

Prerequisites

• Know how to unzip a file.
• Know how to create new directories.
• Click here for help on these prerequisites
• This tutorials has been tested in the following environment:
  Date: 05/10/08
  OS: Win XPro
  JDK: jdk1.6.0_03

Objectives

• Download and install the JDK & JRE
• Compile your first Java program from DOS.
• Edit & Debut your first Java program from a Text Editor.
• Take your first Java Tutorial.

Download and Install your First JDK, JRE & Java API from Sun

• Java Jem - Download the JDK

Compiling Your First Java Program from DOS

• Java Jem - Compile Your First Program

Edit/Debug your First Java Program from a Text Editor

• Java Jem- Editing Your First Java Program w-Text Editor

Edit/Debug Your First Java Program from a Java IDE

• When you have time, take the Eclipse (First Steps) tutorial.  You will download & install Eclipse then create and compile a java program.
   

Take Your First Java Tutorial

• Sun's Java Tutorial - it's free! Very good learning tool!  Each section takes ~2-3hrs.

  • There is a book that you can buy which is a companion to the site called "The Java Tutorial Second Edition".  The Swing part of the tutorial is covered in a book called "The JFC Swing Tutorial: A Guide to Constructing GUIs".  More info at the site.  You can take the Tutorial without purchasing the book!

  • Take the following tutorials in the section called "Trails Covering the Basics":  "Your first cup of Java", "Getting Started", "Learning the Java Language",  "Essential Java Classes" & "Writing Applets".  This will take about 2-3 hrs for each tutorial.

    • Your First Cup of Java - Instructions on compiling and running your first program:  Win32/Linux/Unix/Mac

    • Getting Started - Create a Java Applet and a Java Application.

    • Learning the Java Language - 

    • Essential Java Classes - 

    • Writing Applets - 

  • Download the tutorial if you prefer: http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/information/download.html