I decided to learn java...

[avsrule247]

So, I covered VB, turing, HTML, XHTML, PHP, so I thought it is time to learn some Java!

I need some help though. Is there a program that I can download for free that I can learn java with? I searched the forum and I found a bunch that you have to pay for, but I don't want to pay for something that I mite not like. Is there a free alternative?

[cool dude]

wow pay for java? provide link where it says that. the only way you have to pay if you want the ready IDE which sucks anyways. If you want an IDE than choose JCreator which i think is simple for beginners and i really like it. When wtd sees this post he will tell you to use a simple text editor. If you don't have actaully java installed than go to their website http://java.sun.com/ It is absolutely free.

Good luck with java!

P.S. Since your just starting out read wtd's introduction tutorial. It was my learning tool when i started. I must say it is really good!

[avsrule247]

I know some editors are free but the thing is that most programs that are free aren't very good, so I didn't want to download 10 programs to find out I only needed to have one.

So, thanks for the suggestions, I am going to try JCreator right now.

[wtd]

avsrule247 @ Fri Feb 02, 2007 7:14 am wrote:

I know some editors are free but the thing is that most programs that are free aren't very good

There's a great deal of very good open source software that happens to be free of cost as well.

[md]

Linux is free, and many people find it better then windows...

[Clayton]

I would suggest you stay away from an IDE (which JCreator is), and instead go for something like Crimson Editor to write your code, and learn to compile from the command line. Also note that Crimson Editor is free

[rdrake]

avsrule247 @ Fri Jan 26, 2007 10:19 pm wrote:

So, I covered VB, turing, HTML, XHTML, PHP, so I thought it is time to learn some Java!

Out of curiosity, what made you chose to learn Java next? There are plenty of more deserving languages.

You could... you know... jump on the .NET bandwagon with C#.

avsrule247 @ Fri Jan 26, 2007 10:19 pm wrote:

I need some help though. Is there a program that I can download for free that I can learn java with? I searched the forum and I found a bunch that you have to pay for, but I don't want to pay for something that I mite not like. Is there a free alternative?

You'll want to download and install the Java Development Kit (jdk) in order to compile Java programs.

[wtd]

rdrake @ Fri Feb 02, 2007 9:39 pm wrote:

avsrule247 @ Fri Jan 26, 2007 10:19 pm wrote:

So, I covered VB, turing, HTML, XHTML, PHP, so I thought it is time to learn some Java!

Out of curiosity, what made you chose to learn Java next? There are plenty of more deserving languages.

You could... you know... jump on the .NET bandwagon with C#.

Yes, but my recommendation would go to something in the functional area. VB, Turing and PHP are all imperative languages, and so is Java.

If it's the OOP thing that makes Java appealing, I'd suggest a purely OO language. Perhaps Ruby.

[avsrule247]

@ rdrake

We are learning Java in school next semester and I thought I would get a jump start. That is the main reason.

[wtd]

http://www.compsci.ca/v3/viewtopic.php?t=9576

[cool dude]

Freakman @ Thu Feb 01, 2007 11:33 pm wrote:

I would suggest you stay away from an IDE (which JCreator is), and instead go for something like Crimson Editor to write your code, and learn to compile from the command line. Also note that Crimson Editor is free

Freakman have you ever used JCreator? If so it is great for beginers and i talk from experience(recently learned java). It is almost like using a text editor except it makes it easier by not making you use the command line everytime to compile and run your programs. Besides almost all schools use some sort of IDE to teach java.

[wtd]

cool dude @ Sat Feb 03, 2007 1:26 am wrote:

it makes it easier by not making you use the command line everytime to compile and run your programs.

The real issue here is understanding the classpath. IDEs hide that detail for simple programs.

Understanding the classpath, though, is one of the biggest obstacles students learning Java run into, though, and it should be tackled head-on rather than hidden.

[Clayton]

cool dude wrote:

Freakman have you ever used JCreator?

Yes I have, and I liked it about as much as I did Dev-C++ (which was not at all). I want to be able to just open up my editor and start typing away. I don't give a damn about projects or any such nonsense. It's just easier to type, save, compile and then run from the command line than anything else. Also, Crimson Editor is much more versatile than JCreator (or any IDE for that matter). Crimson Editor supports many different languages' syntax wth highlighting schemes, and if there isn't one for it, you can just make one yourself. Also, using the command-line is inevitable if you really want to be a programmer. Screwing around to avoid the command line is just hurting you more than helping. Best to just tackle it head on.

[Darkmantis]

Im just starting to learn java too, to me its like vb and turing combined. Seems easy enough so far, Ive learned how to make random integers and taking 3 degit number and printing them backwards. I hope we learn how to make some basic games soon. oh and could I posibly get a link to wtd's tutorial plz im too lazy to look. Thx.

[Clayton]

you're obviously too lazy to read through an entire thread before posting as well. The link has been posted here, I'll leave it up to you to find it.