Fast Track to Java 17 and OO Development: Lab Setup Instructions (Windows OS: Java 17 and IntelliJ)

Below are the standard requirements for this course. If you have any questions or issues, please contact us.

Important Note: Student lab files are required on each computer used for the course. The links for these are not in this lab setup, and you should receive them separately.

Other notes:

• It’s a good idea to keep downloaded software install files on the machines during the class in case of problems that require a re-install.
• Cloning a setup is generally not a problem. If it is, we’ll mention it in the software section (for example, much of the IBM/RAD-WAS software can be problematic in this regard).

Hardware and classroom setup.

Each student and the instructor shall have a workstation that fulfills the listed requirements.

• Required: Intel-compatible processor (with reasonably recent hardware).
• Memory: 8GB min recommended
• Disk Space: Free disk space for software installs (generally minimum 2GB)
• Operating System: Windows OS (Any modern version - e.g. Windows 10. - labs have not been tested on Windows 8 variants)
• Required: Zip utility. A good free one is 7-zip
• Required: Adobe Acrobat Reader
• Required: One of Firefox browser (https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/new/) or Chrome browser (https://www.google.com/chrome/). Edge browser is not sufficient.
• Recommended: Internet access
• Recommended: Class machines networked together - allows students to access a shared network directory.

Install 7-zip 

We’ve found that there are sometimes problems using the built in Windows archive/zip utility. This generally has to do with long path lengths that it can’t handle. Use 7-zip to extract the labs and any software zips which we’ve found very reliable.

• Can try direct download link for 64-bit install: https://www.7-zip.org/a/7z2301-x64.exe
• If that doesn’t work, go to home page https://www.7-zip.org
• Near the top of the page, find the download link for your bitness (probably 64 bit), and download the installer.
• Execute the installer, and take all the defaults.
• You can now extract zip files by right clicking on them, and selecting 7-Zip | Extract ...

Lab Files: Each student and instructor must have lab files installed (links to these files are generally sent separately via e-mail).

• Extract the lab files to a location conveniently accessible to the student (e.g. C:\ )
• Recommend using utility like 7-zip, not Windows built-in extractor.
• If using folder other than C:\, make sure that students know where they are.

Other instructor requirements for the classroom

• Projector or large screen TV capable of 1280x800 or higher resolution. Instructor must be able to use this to project slides.
• Whiteboard (preferred) or flip charts with markers.

Install Java Development Kit – JDK 17

• Note that any JDK 17 version should work fine. Other close Java versions should be fine also (e.g. Java 16 or 18) but have not been tested.
   
• We will use the adoptium.net download. This is the OpenJDK distribution that is managed by the Eclipse Foundation.
  • We've found this to be very reliable, easy to install/use, and with no restrictive licensing terms.
• Try the Direct link first: 
  • https://github.com/adoptium/temurin17-binaries/releases/download/jdk-17.0.10%2B7/OpenJDK17U-jdk_x64_windows_hotspot_17.0.10_7.msi
  • This assumes you're running a 64 bit version of WIndows. 32 bit versions are also available if needed using the instructions below.
• If you have problems with the direct link, go to https://adoptium.net/releases.html
  • Select the Temurin 17 (LTS) radio button
  • In the dropdowns, select the Windows Operating System and the Architecture (generally 64 bit)
  • Click the link to download the ".msi" file
  • Save the file where you can easily get to it
• You should have a file with a name like OpenJDK17U-jdk_x64_windows_hotspot_17.0.10_7.msi (the minor version number, 17.n.n_nn may be different).
• Run the installer (right click on the install file, select Install)
  • Click Next on the Welcome dialog,
  • In the Custom Setup dialog make sure that Set Java_HOME variable is enabled (click its drop down, and select  "Will be installed on local hard drive")
  • Click Next through all the dialogs, and click Install in the last dialog.
  • This will install the JDK in a folder like C:\Program Files\Eclipse Adoptium\jdk-17.0.10-hotspot
    • If this location is problematic because of your environment, it can be changed. The installer should consistently set the path and JAVA_HOME for you.

• Check the following environment variables to make sure they are set properly

  • JAVA_HOME:
    • Open a command prompt, and execute the following
      • echo %JAVA_HOME%
    • It should give a value like C:\Program Files\Eclipse Adoptium\jdk-17.0.10-hotspot (for the default install location).
    • If not, something has gone wrong with the install.
  • Path:
    • Open a command prompt, and execute the following
      • echo %path%
    • You should see something like C:\Program Files\Eclipse Adoptium\jdk-17.0.10-hotspot\bin at the beginning of the path.

• Open a terminal prompt, type the below, and press Enter

  javac -version

• You should get a message similar to the below. If the command is not found, you did something wrong.
  • javac 17.0.10
• Close the terminal prompt. You’re done installing Java

Install IntelliJ IDEA Community (2021 versions)

Instructions are for Version 2021.2.4. Any 2021.2.x version should work, but best to stick with 2021.2.x versions - IntelliJ changes it's IDE frequently, and if the version differs from what the lab instructions were written to, this may be confusing to students.

NOTE: IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate will also work fine, if you are using that.

Download

• Direct Download: Download ideaIC-2021.2.n.exe - the installer file for Windows OS
  • If the above link does not work, the main download page is: https://www.jetbrains.com/idea/download/
  • From the main download page, make sure the Windows tab is selected on the top left.
  • Click the download button under the Community header, and save the downloaded file.
  • Important NOTE: If the downloaded file version is NOT 2021.2 (e.g. it's 2021.3 or 2022.x) then go to https://www.jetbrains.com/idea/download/other.html and find and download a 2021.2 version for Windows.

Install

• Execute the installer program (named something like ideaIC-2021.2.4.exe)
• Take all the defaults when installing
• Nothing else needs to be done to install IntelliJ