Installing the Java tools

This page tells you how to obtain and install the Java compiler and Eclipse programming environment on your computer. If you plan to use Skidmore's public PCs (which have these applications already installed), then proceed to "Tutorials" and link to the Eclipse tutorial. If you run into problems while installing or using these tools, check the tutorials and help sections for solutions.

Note: See the Help Links section for access to help files.

Downloading the applications.

Note: Each of the applications are occassionally upgraded (new versions), and it is important to choose the right mix of versions. For example, the latest, recent version of the SDK may not be fully compatible with the current version of Eclipse. Follow the recommendations below.

The Java SE from Oracle

Your computer first needs to have the Java JDK installed - not the JRE. (JDK=Java Developer's Kit from Oracle)

PC and Linux version: Java JDK 7 or above

You can obtain this from the following source:

    http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html

    Be sure to download the Java SE (JDK) version (you don't want to download the FX, NetBeans, or EE versions). Just choose the platform you plan to install on (e.g. Windows). After the file is downloaded, run it on your PC. This will install the compiler. During installation, you may define the home folder for the SDK or use the default.

    Note: What is the JRE? The Java Runtime Environment is the Java interpreter that executes Java applications and applets. The JDK includes the runtime along with other tools needed to develop Java applications and applets. For users who just need to run Java code, the JRE is all they need. For developers (and CS students), download the JDK.

    Mac versions:

    Things can be a bit tricky, depending on the version of OSX you are using. You should be using OSX 10.7.3 or later (Lion, Mountain Lion, Mavericks or newer). To see which version of Java you have running (if any), open the terminal window (Applications/utilities) and enter the following at the command prompt:

    java -version

    If running version 6 or 7, that should work. (If running 6, you may want to upgrade to 7, see next link.)

    If you use Lion (10.7.3) or later go to the following site to download version 7 of the Java JDK.:

    http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/jdk7-downloads-1880260.html

    Look in the first section, under Java SE Development Kit and choose the Mac download. This assumes you are running the 64-bit version of OSX.

Eclipse IDE for Java Developers

Note: to upgrade an existing version of Eclipse, see Help | Software upgrades from the Eclipse menu.

Eclipse is a large, professional IDE (integrated developer's environment) developed by a consortium of companies led by IBM. You should have at least 80 MB of free disk space for Eclipse.

You can obtain Eclipse from the following source:

http://www.eclipse.org/downloads/packages/eclipse-ide-java-developers/junosr1

Eclipse supports all major platforms, so be sure to choose the right one for your computer. Look at the list in the upper right of this page. Be sure to choose the correct version for 32-bit or 64-bit mode, depending on which mode your operating system is currently using.

  1. For Windows platforms, after downloading, extract the zip file to a drive; the unzipped files will be placed in a subfolder named eclipse. For example, extract to C:\. Once extracted, invoke the file c:\eclipse\eclipse.exe to begin using Eclipse.

  2. On the Mac, download and decompress the file. The resulting folder (named "eclipse") can then be moved to the Applications folder on your Mac. Invoke Eclipse.app in that folder to begin using Eclipse.

Using a USB flash drive

Students might consider buying a flash drive to use for storing files when using lab and other public machines. Using a flash drive avoids the need to store Eclipse workspaces remotely on Datastor or other shared drives. Saving Java project files on remote servers is not problematic, but storing workspace folders there can be.

Thank you for visiting the Java Web site - Come back again soon.