How to Get Started with Java?

For a beginner to begin with Java programming it needs a few basic steps to go through. Here we provide a step by step beginner's guide to get started with Java.

How to Get Started with Java?

For a beginner to begin with Java programming it needs a few basic steps to go through. Here we provide a step by step beginner's guide to get started with Java.

How to Get Started with Java?

A Java Beginners Tutorial - How to Get Started with Java?

For a programmer Java offers some challenges that are uncommon with other environments and to get started with Java you need to keep in mind a few things. First of all, you need to install a lot of things (almost all you need) before just starting. Java is perceived as challenging because even before you could just give any programming input you may have to rake your brains over these things and that takes a considerable time. Here we would try to make your life easier through providing a detailed guidance down below. The installing process of basic Java files and components will take some time before actually you will start writing codes using any piece of software. Here we go as to show you how to get started with Java.

Installing Java Virtual Machine

For a beginner it is important to know that Java is absolutely independent of operating system platforms. It means Java programming works on any platform including Windows, Mac, Linux and others. It can seamlessly comply with any operating system simply because of Java Virtual Machine which is a program to process all your codes correctly in the operating system it is in use. So to get started with Java the first step would be to install the Java Virtual Machine on your system.

Java is open source software but owned by the Oracle Corporation and so to install Java Virtual Machine you need to go to the website of Oracle. It is also popularly known as Java Runtime Environment (JRE). You can go to the following link http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html or you can alternatively try this link as well http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/jdk7u7-downloads-1836413.html. The link page contains a button clicking on which you can check whether your system already has JRE preinstalled. When you become sure that it is not there you can download and install it. After finishing download and installation the computer will need to restart and thereafter your computer is ready with Java Virtual Machine.

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Installing Java Software Development Kit

Making your computer ready for Java programs to run is just what you have done now and still you are not in a position to write Java codes and test them. Downloading and installing Java software development kit is the next step to become equipped in all regards before you actually start writing codes. For downloading Java Software Development kit you can try this link http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javaee/downloads/java-ee-sdk-6u3-jdk-6u29-downloads-523388.html. Go for the Java SE (standard edition) since you are a beginner and do not need much except the basic what it needs to start with. There is a multitude of options including JDK, NetBeans, etc.

How You Get to Work with Java?

Now, this is where you aspired to come at last – programming codes. Write your original codes for the program in a text editor. This code called as Source Code in programming environment is saved with a file extension mentioning .java. The next step is compiling which means turning the Source Code into Byte Code. There are specific programs like Javac which performs this well by creating a new file by the extension .class. As soon as the ‘class’ file is created it can be run on Java Virtual Machine.
These are specific steps to follow:

  1. Writing and saving Source Code with file extension .java
  2. Compiling Source Code to Byte Code and creating compile file with file extension .class
  3. Running the compiled class files on Java Virtual Machine

Check the tutorial Hello world (First java program) which will explain you the process of compiling and running a simple Java program.

Tutorials for getting started with Java