Starting Out, Java.

Lee · #1 (**permalink**) 02-16-2008, 03:05 PM

Hey,

I have taken the decision that i should be looking into learning all about Java now, it is something i have wanted to do for a while, i was hoping someone such as Helloworld could answer a couple of questions

Whats the best compiler to use?
Where should i start, what should i learn? (maybe make a list e.g. Variables, mathematical functions etc...)
Have you any good links you can share?
Is there anything i should know?

If anyone could answer them questions i would greatly help me and i should imagine that it would help many other people starting out.

HelloWorld · #2 (**permalink**) 02-16-2008, 11:22 PM

Hahaha... I'm learning C++ now

but here's the answer to your question..

Quote:

Whats the best compiler to use?

ummm.. there's only one compiler for Java, just use the newest version of JDK. I don't know if there's any other compiler, but I wouldn't use if I'm still learning about it because it's not the standard API..

here's the link to download the latest JDK:
Java SE Downloads

Quote:

Where should i start, what should i learn? (maybe make a list e.g. Variables, mathematical functions etc...)

I'd rather start with a project that you have in mind.. but you need to learn some fundamental of Java, because it probably different than any other language that you've learned.. but if you've known your other language well, shouldn't be that difficult to learn Java. In fact, I think Java 95% the same as C#, and similar to C++, but in this case you don't care with memory craps..

Quote:

Have you any good links you can share?

I'm sorry, not really.. I usually just got a project and use Java API to look whatever I wanted..
Java 2 Platform SE 5.0

Quote:

Is there anything i should know?

Start from fundamentals and work your way up toward your project, Java is not as complex as C++ where you need to have to deal with memory..

I hope I answered all of your question clearly..

Lee · #3 (**permalink**) 02-17-2008, 03:31 AM

Thanks a bunch, i will look into it, i know a lot of the basics to C++ and don't find them a problem so i will have fun looking into this.

Lee · #4 (**permalink**) 02-17-2008, 09:17 AM

Sorry for the back to back post but just to get your attension... How do i begin to use the JDK, it is installed but there is no program in my menu or anything, do you save the files as Jar files or something?

HelloWorld · #5 (**permalink**) 02-18-2008, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee

Sorry for the back to back post but just to get your attension... How do i begin to use the JDK, it is installed but there is no program in my menu or anything, do you save the files as Jar files or something?

hmmm... well, JDK has the standards library of Java that you probably want to PATH to your operating system Environment Variable "assuming if you're in Windows platform" so that you could compile your .java easily by just typing

Code:

javac program.java

in the command line then it will create the .class file, so you run your program by typing

Code:

program

you could use notepad to start programming java then compile it in the command prompt, there are other IDEs such as Eclipse (my favorite), or whatever that you could use to compile Java, but I personally wouldn't recommend beginners to use them..

Here's what you basically need to do as for now:
1. Setup your environment variable

Quote:

* Windows 2000/XP users may set their path by right-clicking on 'My Computer' and selecting 'Properties'. Under the 'Advanced' tab, there is a button that allows you to set the 'Environment variables'. Click on this and alter the 'Path' variable so that it also contains the path to the Java executable. For example, if you have installed Java in c:\jdk and your path is currently set to C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32, then you would change your path to read C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32;c:\jdk\bin
When you open a new command prompt, it will reflect these changes and allow you to run java programs by typing "java". If you have installed the SDK, then you will also be able to run "javac" to compile stuff.
* Windows 95/98/ME users may find that their path variable is stored in a different place. Edit the c:\autoexec.bat file and add the following line at the end: SET PATH=%PATH%;c:\jdk\bin
(This also assumes that you have installed Java in c:\jdk)
* Linux, UNIX, Solaris, FreeBSD users must set their PATH variable to point to where the java binaries have been installed. Please refer to your shell documentation if you have trouble doing this. For example, if you use bash as your shell, then you would add the following line to the end of your .bashrc: export PATH=/path/to/java:$PATH

2. TEST your environment variable, go to command line, type javac, and see if there's instruction for you to use that command, if not, then you don't set it up incorrectly.. otherwise, you'll see something like instruction (manual) how to use that command

3. Create a program, then compile it by using javac command

Lee · #6 (**permalink**) 02-18-2008, 05:03 AM

I think i have used Eclispe before, not really to program just to look around it, i think i will opt for using that as it saves time with compiling and other general jobs i find. More to the point it makes life easier, bearing in mind i am not a total beginner in programing i think i should be ok

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The Following User Says Thank You to HelloWorld For This Useful Post:
Lee (02-17-2008)

The Following User Says Thank You to HelloWorld For This Useful Post:
Lee (02-18-2008)