Creating a Java Installation and Development Environment
To develop applications with Java, you generally install the JDK and development tool software.
JDK(Java Development Kit)
The JDK is a Java development environment that includes the Java Virtual Machine for running Java applications, along with tools such as a compiler and debugger. It can be downloaded from Oracle’s site.
Because the code itself can be written with a normal text editor, minimal application development is possible as long as only the JDK is installed.
Installing Java - Creating an Execution and Compilation Environment
- Download and install OpenJDK
- Download and install the Java SE Development Kit(JDK)
- Configure OS environment variables
- JAVA_HOME={JDK installation path}
- PATH={JAVA_HOME}\bin
Because the installation method differs by OS, settings appropriate for each environment are required.
Windows Installation
- In preparation.
Mac Installation
- In preparation.
Linux Installation
- In preparation.
Integrated Development Environment
An Integrated Development Environment(IDE) is software that commonly includes many features that are almost indispensable for application development, such as a code editor that supports coding, a debugger, project management features, and refactoring features. Minimal coding can certainly be done with only a text editor. However, repetitive development tasks such as compilation, deployment, and debugging are cumbersome and unproductive. For serious development, using an integrated development environment is common and is naturally expected in practice. It is better to become familiar with development in an integrated development environment quickly.
Representative Java integrated development environments include IntelliJ IDEA and Eclipse. Eclipse was widely used in the past, but recently JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA is used more often.
Creating a Development Environment - Download and Install an IDE
- Eclipse: Eclipse, free
- IntelliJ IDEA: IntelliJ, paid(community version is free)