Appendix A. Downloading Java

Here are the steps to download and install the latest free Java compiler.

  1. Go to the website java.sun.com

    Click on the link to “downloads”.

    You want the most up-to-date version of the Java development kit. From time to time, Sun Marketing re-badges the JDK, using ever more silly and awkward names. Most recently, it has been called Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition (J2SE) Software Development Kit (SDK). In summer 2004, the most up-to-date version was 1.5 (yes, “Java 2” is at version 1.5).

  2. You want the SDK (the compiler, tools, and run-time library). The JRE is just the part of the SDK needed to run Java programs, but not the development tools (the JRE is a smaller download intended for users). Click through ...

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