CSE501
Getting Started

Java is the programming language for this course.

You should have a computer account for the computers in the CEC computer labs located on the 4th floor of Lopata Hall and the 2nd floor of Sever Hall (which are contiguous). Although you may develop programs anywhere and under any environment or operating system, you should plan to use these machines for demonstrating your programs.

If you have your own desktop computer or laptop, you can download all of the software necessary for this course at no cost.

Start by downloading and installling Java from the Sun website:

• Macintosh Users -
  
  1. Your computer may have been shipped with Java 5.0 already installed. If you have the folder /Applications/Utilities/Java/J2SE5.0/, then you can skip the next step.
  2. Install the Java 5.0 Runtime Environment (JRE) by following these instructions from the Apple website.
  3. Double click on the JavaPreferences application in the folder /Applications/Utilities/Java/J2SE 5.0. For "Use version:? select J2SE 5.0 and close the window.
• Windows or Linux Users -
  Download the Windows version or the Linux version of the most recent version of Java 5.0 (JDK 5.0 Update 10) which includes the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) along with all the development tools (compilers, debuggers, etc).

Professional software developers generally use an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) that includes a text editor (for creating source code), a compiler (for translating source code into executable code), and a debugger (for finding errors). Once you have installed Java, you will need to decide which IDE is best for you to complete your work in this course.

There are at least two choices we recommend, Eclipse or BlueJ. You might try both and then decide which is best. Eclipse is installed on the CEC computers and offers the most features, but BlueJ is somewhat simpler to learn.

Once you have installed Java, follow these instructions to download and install BlueJ.

Eclipse is an open source, platform-independent, software framework and Java IDE. To install Eclipse, the instructions are equally simple.

1. Download the Mac OSX version, the Windows version (not early access), or the Linux version (not early access) of Eclipse 3.2. Save the file in your Applications folder. After unstuffing/unzipping the download, open the eclipse folder. Find the eclipse application in the folder and (Mac) drag it to your dock for convenience or (windows & linux) right click on it to create a shortcut named Eclipse and drag the shortcut into your start menu or onto your desktop for your convenience.
2. Click or double-click on Eclipse and the application should open. You will be asked to select a workplace folder where your projects will be stored.