CMPT 126 Harbour Centre

Software




JAVA

We will be programming with the Java programming language in this course (http://java.sun.com/)

  • You can download the JDK for free. (Do NOT download the JRE)

  • As of September 2010, the newest version for Windows, Linux or Solaris is: JDK 6 Update 21, which can be downloaded from http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads

  • You may want to create a directory to include all what you download; you may want to call it "C:\downloaded" (but you may choose other location). See installation instructions in http://java.sun.com/javase/6/webnotes/install/ .

  • In Windows, as part of the installation procedure you need to update the PATH variable. Right-click the “My Computer” icon and select Properties → Advanced → Environment Variables. From “System variables”, edit “Path”. To the start of its value, add: (notice the semicolon between that and the next entry)

    C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.6.0_21\bin;

    (You may have to adjust slightly for the version of the JDK update number that you have.)

  • Before running the JDK installer close all applications. Double-click on C:\downloaded\jdk-6u21-windows-i586-p.exe → Run → Accept → check that "Development Tools" is selected and that the path is C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.6.0_21 At the end of this porcess JDK will be in C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.6.0_21\

  • If you ever want to uninstall JDK, do not just delete it; use the "Add/Remove Programs" utility instead: Start → Control Panel → double-click on “Add or Remove Programs” → select “Java(TM) SE Development Kit Update 21” → Remove

  • To download the version for a Mac you need to register as a Mac User. As of September 2009 - The newest version for Mac Users was: Java JDK Mac OS X 10.5 Update 1.

IDE: Integrated Development Environment

There are various Java IDEs that you could use to edit your java programs, compile them and then run them (instead of using the command-line tools and a separate editor). Here are some links, with no intended implications about their usefulness. JCreator and Eclipse will be available in the CSIL labs. In class we will use JCreator.

  • JCreator LE: http://www.jcreator.com/download.htm (free).
    • The newest version as of September 2010 is: JCreator LE, v5.00.

    • Before installing JCreator, install the JDK (Java development kit).

    • After downloading, close all the applications and run the JCreator LE installer. Double-click on C:\downloaded\jcrea450_setup.exe and follow the instructions. Then follow JCreator Setup Wizard. If you ever want to uninstall JCreator LE, do not just delete it; use the "Add/Remove Programs"

    • Initial JCreator set-up:
      To have the execution of your porgram be shown in a "black console" do the following:
      Configure → Options → JDK Tools → select Run Application, click on "" → Edit → uncheck "Capture output" → OK → OK

    • If you receive a message within JCreator indicating that the JDK home path is not set, make sure that you have installed the Java files (JDK) and "inform" JCreator where the Java files are: Configure → Options → JDK Profiles → (new or confirm JDK Version 1.6.0_21) and Edit

    • Always compile first and then run . If you run only it will execute the previously compiled version! This may cause confusion as you will observe that your latest changes were not taken into account.

  • Netbeans: http://www.netbeans.org/downloads/index.html

  • Eclipse: http://www.eclipse.org/

  • BlueJ: http://www.bluej.org/ ($)

  • Linux users may also want to try SableVM, which is an open source implementation of the Java tools. In Debian, you can install everything you need with this command:
    apt-get install free-java-sdk

TEXT EDITORS

Unless you're using an IDE, you'll need a separate text editor. Any text editor you like will do. One that has syntax highlighting will be nice, but certainly not required. These are some suggestions.

COMPRESSION SOFTWARE

You will probably need some software to compress files for submission.

SECURE FILE TRANSFER

You may want to transfer files to and from your account at SFU. You should use a secure file transfer (SCP) program for this.

CSIL LABS: Connecting to the CSIL terminal service, other FAQ's

You may want to access your files from at your H: directories from your CSIL account.

  • Check the CSIL FAQs here


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