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Gentle Java™ and OO Development: Lab Setup Instructions (Windows OS: Java 21 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 21

  • Note that any JDK 21 version should work fine. Other close Java versions should be fine also (e.g. Java 20 or 22) but these are not fully supported Java releases and 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: 
  • If you have problems with the direct link, go to https://adoptium.net/releases.html and do the following.
    • In the dropdowns, select the Operating System as Windows, the Architecture as x64 (assuming 64 bot arcitecture), the Package Type as JDK, and the Version as 21-LTS. If OS or Architecture are different for your environment, modify accordingly
    • 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 OpenJDK21U-jdk_x64_windows_hotspot_21.0.4_7.msi (the minor version number, 21.n.n_nn may be different).
  • Run the installer (right click on the install file, select Install)
    • Click Next on the Welcome dialog, accept the License Agreement, then click Next
    • Select "Install for all users of this machine" in the scope dialog, click Next
    • In the Custom Setup dialog make sure that Modify PATH variable and Set Java_HOME variable is enabled (click their 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-21.0.4.7-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-21.0.4.7-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-21.0.4.7-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 21.0.4
  • Close the terminal prompt. You’re done installing Java

Install Eclipse 2024-06 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: 
  • Create install folder:
    • Create the folder C:\eclipse-2024-06. We will install all the Eclipse files into C:\eclipse-2024-06\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-2024-06 folder you created above
      • Leave "create start menu entry" and "create desktop shortcut" checked
    • Click Install - It should install cleanly.
      • If prompted to accept unsigned content, accept it and continue the install - it's all javax and Apache Commons bundles.
  • 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