New to Java - What to download

[rpm27]

I'm starting to learn Java (after I learned C++), however, as the different tutorials are telling me, I should download the JDK + an IDE (eg. Eclipse). Could someone tell me what these different components really do: JDK, JRE and IDE (I think an IDE is analogous to a compiler right?) Thank you

[JosAH]

I'm starting to learn Java (after I learned C++), however, as the different tutorials are telling me, I should download the JDK + an IDE (eg. Eclipse). Could someone tell me what these different components really do: JDK, JRE and IDE (I think an IDE is analogous to a compiler right?) Thank you

The core of it all is the JVM (Java Virtual Machine); it can translate compiled
Java files to machine code and runs it. Note that we're not talking about source
code here. The JVM alone isn't of much use. You need the JRE for that (Java
Runtime Environment) which is the JVM plus a whole lot of compiled Java code.

That compiled code makes up the JSE (Java Standard Edition). If you want to
compile your own source code you need the JDK (Java Development Kit) which
comes with Javac (the Java compiler and other tools) and the JRE (which comes
with the JVM). You can download Java 1.6 JDK here:

http://java.sun.com/javase/sitemap.jsp

Look for the link 'latest release' in the 'Downloads' paragraph. After you have downloaded
the JSE JDK and installed it you have the JVM and JRE and of course the JDK
installed. You're ready to compile and run your programs.

An IDE isn't strictly necessary and not recommended. Better get your hands dirty
by using your favourite editor, compile the sources with Javac (a compiler tool
that comes with the JDK) and run the compiled code using java or javaw (two
tools that fire up the JVM using the core classes).

You can download the documentation (the 'JavaDocs') and all tutorials from here:

http://www.thescripts.com/forum/thread741373.html

kind regards,

Jos