Java Installation

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

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.

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.

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