Unit 0: Preparation

Unit Overview

This unit introduces the basic Java platform (the Java language plus the Java package) and demonstrates how to set up a Java development environment.

Learning Outcomes

After completing this unit, you should be able to

1. set up a Java development environment;
2. list the benefits that Java technology can provide to system developers;
3. describe the Java language and platform.

Learning Activities

1. Read the Learning Notes and follow the links to read the recommended online materials.
2. Read the Review Questions and use the discussion board of this course to
   1. answer any two of the review questions;
   2. share any useful information about the supplemental reading materials you have read;
   3. comment on another student’s response to the review questions;
   4. answer any questions posed to you.

Learning Notes

1. Conference Guidelines

   Conference participation is mandatory for this course and is worth 15% of your final mark.

   1. Conference Topics
      • COMP 501 General Discussion: general postings, including graduate studies and other courses
      • COMP 501 News: important course news
      • COMP 501 Bios: your personal and professional biography
      • COMP 501 Units 0–4 and Assignment 1
      • COMP 501 Units 5–6 and Assignment 2
      • COMP 501 Units 7–9 and Assignment 3
      • COMP 501 Self-Assessment Activity
   2. Conference Expectations and Conference Rules
   3. Be sure you are very familiar with the conference instructions provided in Course Orientation: Introduction.
2. Set up your Java development environment.

   Please follow the steps below.

   1. Download and install the latest version of the Java SDK from Oracle.
   2. Install it on your computer. Check the news conference for the current version, to be used this semester.
   3. Download and install a programming editor on your computer. Check the news conference for current programming editor recommendations.
   4. Open a command window, and type “java -version” at the command prompt.

      This command should return the version of Java you have just installed. If you do not see a version message, or if you see a version other than what you just installed, then your installation of Java is incorrect. You may have to modify your system’s PATH to point to the java installation directory. You can obtain assistance installing the SDK by creating a discussion on the conference. However, as a graduate student in an Information Technology program, you are expected to be able to install and configure the SDK with minimal assistance.

      Unit 2 contains further instructions on compiling your first Java application, together with some helpful troubleshooting advice.

3. Read: The Java Tutorials. (2020). Lesson: The Java Technology Phenomenon. Redwood Shores, CA: Oracle Corporation.
4. Important Notes

   For this course, unless otherwise directed by the instructor via the News conference, you should install and use the latest version of the Java SDK.

   You will see the development kit referred to as either the JDK (Java Developer’s Kit) or the Java SDK (Software Development Kit). Both terms are used interchangeably in this course.

   It is highly recommended you download the current version of the Java SDK from Oracle. While there are various other products on the market that may serve the purpose (i.e., Eclipse or Netbeans), it is your responsibility to ensure that the platform you choose supports the recommended Java features as specified by the instructor in the News conference.

   It is highly recommended that you use SDK with pure text editors, such as Crimson Editor or Sublime Text. Using a programmer’s editor will allow you to focus on learning essential Java programming skills instead of learning the development tool. You will be able to code independently from any development tool (IDE) while avoiding bad habits in coding. Please also refer to Requirements for Assignment Programs. Every program you submit to the instructor must compile using the recommended version of Java with the command “javac *.java” from a command window. Programs should execute with the command “java Program” from a command window.

   The “official” viewer for applets in this course is appletviewer.exe, which is included with the SDK. Your applet assignments must work with appletviewer.

   Using a browser to test and debug applets is NOT recommended. Browsers contain caches that store code for speedy reuse. Unfortunately, recompiling an applet does not cause the browser to reload the program; instead, the browser will continue to execute the copy in its cache, causing much grief, frustration, and heartache.

   It is further recommended that you do NOT use or alter the CLASSPATH variable for this course. CLASSPATH is a handy way to direct the Java compiler and run-time environment to the location of code that you use frequently, but its use in this course is not recommended. Any time you feel you require CLASSPATH, use the command-line options for javac and java instead.