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Introduction to the Java Persistence API Version 2 (JPA 2): Lab Setup Instructions (Windows OS: Java 8, Eclipse, Tomcat)

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 1.8 Update 411

  • Note that any relatively recent JDK1.8 version is fine.
  • Note that you'll need a free Oracle logon to download the JDK.
  • From https://www.oracle.com/java/technologies/javase/javase8u211-later-archive-downloads.html find the latest Java 8 release installer file for your OS
    • Windows 64 bit: e.g. jdk-8u411-windows-x64.exe (Almost certainly this is the one you want. 32-bit Windows OS installs are now rare).
  • Click the link for the installer file, accept the license agreement, enter your login credentials, and download the installer.

  • Run the installer and take all defaults.

  • Create or modify environment variables as appropriate for your OS. This will add an environment variable JAVA_HOME, and modify your path to include the jdk bin folder
    • JAVA_HOME:
      • Right click My Computer and choose Properties > click the Advanced tab > click the Environment Variables button
      • In the bottom half of the dialog, click New to add a new System variable
      • Variable name: JAVA_HOME (this is case-sensitive)
      • Variable value: C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.8.0_411 (or adjust to the actual path where you installed the JDK and your JDK version – please double-check this path – probably best to copy and paste it)
      • Click OK
    • Path:

      %JAVA_HOME%\bin;

      • Find this existing entry in the bottom half of the Environment Variables button, and click Edit
      • Click in the Variable value field and move your cursor all the way to the left (pressing Home on your keyboard should do this quickly for you)
      • Check whether the value below is already present, or add it at the beginning if necessary (make sure you get all of this, including the trailing semicolon, with no spaces):

    • Click OK repeatedly (likely in 3 different dialogs) until all the dialogs close.

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

    javac -version

    You should get a message that tells you the version. If the command is not found, you did something wrong.

  • Close the terminal prompt. You’re done installing Java

Install Eclipse Oxygen

(Version 4.7.3a or similar)

  • Download: Try the below direct link for the 64 bit Windows version first.  It should start the download of the install file if it works.
    https://www.eclipse.org/downloads/download.php?file=/technology/epp/downloads/release/oxygen/3a/eclipse-jee-oxygen-3a-win32-x86_64.zip
  • If the above works, you’re done with the download, and can continue with the Extract below
     
  • If the above does not work, continue with these download instructions
  • Go to http://www.eclipse.org/downloads/packages/eclipse-ide-java-ee-developers/oxygen3a, and download the installer file for your OS

    NOTE: Look for the Download Links section in the page. Do NOT use the big Download button.
    NOTE: Make sure the bitness (e.g. 64 bit) matches the bitness of your JDK. Mixing them will fail.
     
    • Windows 64 bit: xxx-windows-x64.exe
    • Windows 32 bit: xxx-win32-x86_64.zip

  • Extract:
    • Windows: Unzip the file - Can extract to C:\, or other location convenient to student (as long as they know it, and can access it)
       
  • Test
    • Execute the program (double click on the eclipse.exe executable, or a shortcut for it)
    • Accept the default workspace, and let it load
    • Quit Eclipse
       
  • That’s it. You’re done installing Eclipse

Install Tomcat 8.5

  • Download: From https://tomcat.apache.org/download-80.cgi go to the Binary distributions section for Tomcat 8.5 and download the zip file
    • Go to the link with label zip: in the section labeled Core:
    • The filename will be something like apache-tomcat-8.5.56.zip
    • Save the file where you can access it easily
       
  • Extract: Extract the zip file where students can access and run it easily.
    • Windows OS: Common location is C:\
    • Mac OS: Common location is user home directory.
       
  • That’s all that needs to be done to install Tomcat.