Talk:Java Programming/Installation

Environment Variables
One of the to-dos for the page is to add information on setting the environment variables on Windows systems. I've just done a Java install on my system and reviewed the environment variable information commented out on the wiki page and it seems sound. Can we just un-comment what's there?

JAVAC -version, eh?
What do you mean when you say run the "javac -version" command, you should explain how to do that, or link to it for people who are new to the term. I'm pretty good with computers, but some things aren't explained how to do anywhere, so I never have learned how to do them!!! Meemo 04:49, 12 August 2006 (UTC)
 * I completely agree with Meemo on this. I am working on a newer, better approach for laymen to understand how to check for the availability of Java Development Kit. Pictures and screenshots might do some justice here. - Arun Reginald 07:17, 16 May 2007 (UTC)


 * I have already added some pictures and comprehensive text in order to make the reader aware of what happens behind the scenes. Please see as to this helps readers understand the topic at hand better or not. - Arun Reginald 22:38, 21 September 2007 (UTC)

JavaWIDE
I included a link to JavaWIDE on the page because I think this would be a great way to streamline the process of getting to know Java with as little difficulty as possible. General information about the project is available from the Java WIDE website and you can play around with the tool at the JavaWIDE sandbox. Feel free to move this information to more suitable locations if appropriate. What do you think about including it before all of the installation instructions? - Dr. Jam Jenkins
 * With due respect, Dr Jenkins, I think we should move the part regarding JavaWIDE elsewhere within this book. At this point, we would like the readers of the book to enable themselves to install a JDK for themselves on their computer. But, the real challenge here is to actually define the process as simply as possible without talking much about other alternative tools. - Arunreginald (talk) 09:25, 2 March 2010 (UTC)

Other Platforms
As I've murmured elsewhere, I do think it's a good idea to mention the installation process for other platforms, namely a couple of *nix like systems such as Mac and Linux Ubuntu/Debian. We need to keep them under separate titles to make sure they're not confusing. I'll probably start writing a first draft straight away.

ADD: In my replacement, I've veered people away from an IDE such as Netbeans due to my belief that although they do make life a little easier, I think that they can keep new comers from fully understanding what's going on behind the scenes --Mattylaws (talk) 20:14, 7 March 2010 (UTC)