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The Java Development Kit (JDK) is a set of programs that form the basis of writing applications in Java. They are available for free (downloadable from http://java.sun.com). The JDK also contains documentation, samples, and a full class library that lets you perform a host of tasks on your computer.
The tools include a compiler for translating the Java source language to bytecode, a Java Application (bytecode) runner, a Java Applet (bytecode) runner, a documentation tool, a library packaging tool, several security tools, and several other smaller utilities.
Before you can use the QuickCup Java Development Environment, you will need to install a version of the Java Software Development Kit, which can be obtained via Download from the Sun Microsystems web site.
It is best to obtain the latest version, as it will contain the latest bugfixes, as well as the latest utilities. The demos supplied with QuickCup assume the use of jdk1.3.1, but should work fine on any future versions, as they do not use deprecated class method calls (i.e. they do not make use of any functionality that has been earmarked by Sun as to be removed in a future version).
Point your browser at http://java.sun.com/j2se/ for the standard edition - perfectly adequate for most people's needs. There is an enterprise edition, but if you are working at this level, you probably want to think about moving to a more business-oriented development environment that incorporates form-based development, and has built-in business interoperability libraries etc.
The latest version of the Java SDK is normally available via a link at the top-right hand side of the page - at the time of writing, this was v1.4.
If you scroll down the page, you will see that there is a link for Windows (All Languages) - make sure you click on the Download link under the SDK column not the JRE column.
Further down the page, there are also links to documentation for the SDK. This is invaluable, so is well-worth the download time.
You will be taken to a license agreement. Read this carefully, and click on Accept if you accept the license agreements. If you do not, then give up, or write to Sun!
During installation, you will be asked where you wish to save the product, the default being c:\jdk1.3.1 for version 1.3.1 and so on. It is normally best if you select the default (you can place it under Program Files if you like) in order for QuickCup to pick up its location automatically when you first run the program.
Before you can use the QuickCup Java Development Environment, you will need to inst
Similarly, when you install the documentation, ensure you extract the documentation under this directory - e.g. c:\jdk1.3.1 - this creates a new directory called docs under which the documentation is stored.
The pictures below indicate a suggested method of extraction using WinZip:-
From Windows Explorer, double-click on the archive file:-
This brings up the WinZip window, looking something like this:-
Click on the Extract button on the toolbar, and select the appropriate directory to extract to as follows:-
Click on the Extract button and wait until the extraction process has completed. You can now close the WinZip window.
When you come to use QuickCup, ensure that at the bottom of the Settings tab, the Base JDK path is set to the path that you chose upon installation, and that the Base Documentation bath is the same, but with \docs on the end to indicate where you installed the standard SDK documentation.
This allows you to access the standard SDK documentation via the QuickCup menu help system (via the Help | JDK Help menu).
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This Page was last updated: 26 April 2002 16:58