Java software won't work!

I don't think this falls under programming since it deals with the software aspect. If it should be moved then please move this thread.

Anyway, I downloaded j2sdk-1_4_2-windows-i586-iftw from www.java.sun.com. I opened it and it started to download the Java applications from the website. It installed everything on my computer but I can't use the software or whatever it's called. There is nothing to click on to axcess Java and start writing code!

I know you need a compiler but it said it came with one! I'm really a newbie when it comes to Java so if there is anyone out there who can tell me what I'm doing wrong or help me install this thing properly please help me. And, if I do need a compiler can you recomend where to get one. Also, I read the installation files at the website and am still stuck!

Thanks in advance for helping an ignorant fool like me.

 

The SDK (Software Development Kit) that you downloaded includes the compiler. The compiler program is 'javac', but the tutorial will tell you all about that.

Your next step is to walk through the tutorial. Don't slack on it, actually go do each step carefully. It will tell you what you need to know. After you get the hang of the basics you can skip around.

http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/getStarted/cupojava/win32.html

All you will need to know is the directory where you told that installer you downloaded to install the Java stuff. If you don't know, I'd suggest looking around your drive for a /java directory (and paying more attention to what goes into your machine!)

 

I totally forgot about this thread until now!

Thanks for your help datagrok, I know what I'm doing now.

When I was in school the computers there used something other than notepad for writing code and that confused me when I downloaded Java for my own computer. I forgot that I could use notepad. I thought there was something missing but there wasn't. I should have slowed down and taken my time.

Thanks for all your help.

 

Very nice IDE - http://www.netbeans.org