# Java Software

- You need sofware to develop your Java programs.
- You can use the software in the UMUC computer labs, but most students install Java software on their own machines.
- Fortunately, there is an abundance of free software.
- You should choose one or more of the following.
  - NetBeans (Recommended)
  - jGrasp or JCreator
  - Sun's Java 2 Software/Java Development Kit

# Integrated Development Environment (IDE)

An IDE puts many tools in one package.

- A program text editor
- A compiler (usually the Sun SDK).
- A way to run test your programs from within the IDE.
- A debugger to help you find errors in your programs.
- Many other tools, eg, a GUI editor, jar file generator, ...
- Examples
  1. Top ranked: IntelliJ IDEA ($), Eclipse (no GUI editor, not in UMUC labs)
  2. Also good: NetBeans (in UMUC labs, GUI editor), JBuilder
  3. Simpler: jGrasp (in UMUC labs), JCreator (nicer?), ...

# NetBeans (www.netbeans.org)

- Features
  - GUI editor - Many IDEs don't have one.
  - Formatter for source code fixes indentation errors.
  - Continuous compilation shows errors as you make them.
- Download java.sun.com (with SDK), www.netbeans.org.
- Tutorials
  - faculty.ed.umuc.edu/~arnoldyl/NetBeansTutorials/
  - www.netbeans.org/kb/using-netbeans/36/index.html
  - www.netbeans.org/kb/basic.html
- Versions
  1. Version 3.6 with SDK: best if you don't have SDK.
     `j2sdk-1_4_2_04-nb-3_6-bin-windows.exe` (95 MB)
  2. Version 3.6 without SDK: use if you already have Java SDK.
  3. Version 4.0 beta is probably not a good choice.

# Sun's SDK / JDK

- Sun Microsystems - Software/Java Development Kit
- This is mainly a compiler.
- Download from `java.sun.com` (53 MB).
  - Latest version is 1.4.2_05, earlier versions of 1.4 are ok.
    `j2sdk-1_4_2_05-windows-i586-p.exe`
  - Do not install beta version of 1.5.
- Documentation
  j2sdk-1_4_2-doc.zip (34 MB), install in Java's `docs` directory.
- This compiler is the basis for most other Java tools.
- Must be used with a text editor (TextEdit, jEdit, Notepad, ...)