Beginning Programming with Java For Dummies, 6th Edition

Chapter 2

Setting Up Your Computer

IN THIS CHAPTER

Downloading and installing the IntelliJ IDEA development environment

Installing Java

Getting Java documentation

This chapter goes into much more detail than you normally need. If you're like most readers, you'll follow the steps in the “Let's Get Started” section. Then you'll check the table of contents for any other sections you want to read. After reading about a third of this chapter's material and skimming the remaining two-thirds, you'll have everything you need to begin learning about Java programming.

Of course, you may need to read more than just a third of the chapter.

Everyone's situation is unique. 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, and Elaine's runs Windows 8. Joe misreads one of my instructions and, as a result, nothing on his screen matches the steps that I describe. Seventy 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. You can send an email to me at [e-mail]. You ...