Gentle Java™ and OO Development: Lab Setup Instructions (Windows OS: Java 17 and Eclipse)

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-17.0.13%2B11/OpenJDK17U-jdk_x64_windows_hotspot_17.0.13_11.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_17.0.13_11.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-17.0.13-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-17.0.13-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-17.0.13-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 17.0.13
• Close the terminal prompt. You’re done installing Java

Install Eclipse 2022-03 for Enterprise Java Developers (Windows OS - 64 bit Installer)

• NOTE: We are using the Eclipse Installer for this - different from the zip file install we've often used
• Download the installer: Note that Eclipse only seems to provide direct links for old versions - i.e. there is no page where the link is preserved (that we've found).
  • Browse to https://www.eclipse.org/downloads/download.php?file=/oomph/epp/2022-03/R/eclipse-inst-jre-win64.exe - a direct link to download the installer:
  • Click the Download button in the page that comes up from the link above.
  • Save the file as eclipse-inst-jre-win64-2022-03.exe (not the default name - we add the version name into it for clarity)
  • If you have problems with a direct link, please contact us
• Create install folder:
  • Create the folder C:\eclipse-2022-03. This will install all the Eclipse files into C:\eclipse-2022-03\eclipse.
  • Note that the Eclipse installer will NOT allow you to install directly into C:\
• Install:
  • Run the installer
  • In the first dialog, choose "Eclipse IDE for Enterprise and Java Developers"
  • In the next dialog, set the following
    • Choose your Java VM: It may auto-detect your correct VM - if so, then use it. If not, then browse to the correct install folder for your Java installation
      • Choose the Java VM that you installed earlier in the setup instructions for this course.
    • Installation folder: Select the C:\eclipse-2022-03 folder you created above
    • Leave "create start menu entry" and "create desktop shortcut" checked
  • Click Install - It should install cleanly.
• Test
  • Run the Eclipse program (there should be a shortcut on the desktop)
  • Accept the default workspace, and let it load
  • Go to menu item Window | Preferences | Java | Installed JREs
    • Make sure your Java install is listed in the dialog, and is checked to be the default Java install that is used.
    • Click Cancel out of all dialogs
  • Quit Eclipse
• That’s it. You’re done installing Eclipse