Beginning Programming with Java For Dummies, 5th Edition

Chapter 2

Setting Up Your Computer

IN THIS CHAPTER

Installing Java

Downloading and installing the Eclipse integrated development environment

Checking your Eclipse configuration

Getting the code in this book’s examples

This chapter goes into much more detail than you normally need. If you’re like most readers, you’ll follow the steps in the “If You Don’t Like Reading Instructions …” section. Then you’ll jump to the “Importing This Book’s Sample Programs” section, near the end of this chapter. With about 20 percent of this chapter’s contents, you’ll have 100 percent of the required software.

Of course, there are always glitches. One person has an older computer. Another person has some conflicting software. Joe has a PC and Jane has a Mac. Joe’s PC runs Windows 10 but Janis runs Windows 8. Joe misreads one of my instructions and, as a result, nothing on his screen matches the steps that I describe. Eighty percent of this chapter describes the things you do in those rare situations in which you must diagnose a problem.

If you find yourself in a real jam, there’s always an alternative. ...