Java Installation

[top]

1. Recommended version

Our recommended version is currently java 1.4

You can verify which version has been installed by typing java -version at the command prompt

[top]

2. Installation on Windows

As a developer, you will need the SDK instead of the JRE. Our current recommended version at time of writing is Sun's Java 1.4.2_04. You can download this from Sun's java page or request the file directly from us.

Uninstall all other versions using Add/Remove Programs in your control panel. Then click on the exe to install java to your specified directory.

After installing, go into the Control Panel -> Java Plug-in and go through each of the settings until you are happy. Note that automatic updating is enabled by default.

Check that environment variable JAVA_HOME is pointing to the the installation directory.

Check that JAVA_HOME/bin is included in your PATH.

[top]

3. Install Documentation

Be sure to download the corresponding documentation. The javadocs will unpack to provide neatly organised html reference material. This is one of the reasons why I like java.

[top]

4. Additional Libraries

Decide where you want to install additional libraries and packages that you may be required to download. My personal development directory is /home/jurn/java/lib