How to install Java

A guide to setting up Java

What is Java and why do I need it?

Java is a programming language that allows programs to be written that can then be run on
more than one type of operating system. A program written in Java can run on Windows,
UNIX, Linux etc. as long as there is a Java runtime environment installed.

Some of the programs on this website have been written in Java, so you will need to install
the Java runtime environment in order to run them.

Where can I download Java?

You can download version 1.4 of Java from http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.4/download.html. If

you want to be able to write your own Java programs that you can compile and run, then you
must download the SDK (Software Developers Kit). If you just want to be able to run a Java
program that has already been compiled, then you can get away with just downloading the
JRE (Java Runtime Environment). Once you have decided which you need, download either
the SDK or the JRE. Choose the download that is most suitable for your operating system.

Setting up Java

If you do not have Java installed already, follow the instructions provided with the download
in order to install Java.

Once Java has been installed, you will be able to run Java program by running the java
executable that was installed. You may find it convenient to add the location of this file to
your operating system's path variable, otherwise you will need to explicitly refer to the
absolute location of java.

Setting up the path

• 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

Setting up the classpath

In addition to setting up the path, you also need to tell Java where to find compiled class files
at runtime. You will probably want to set the classpath to include at least the current working
directory (.)

Eg: SET CLASSPATH=%CLASSPATH%;.

The classpath can also contain other directories that may contain compiled class files. Note
that if you are using classes that are contained inside a .jar file, you will need to specify the
full path and name of this file in the classpath, rather than just the name of the directory it is
contained within.

Java Documentation

You may optionally download the Java documentation, which includes API pages that
explain in good detail how each Java class can be used.