Getting Started with Java

Sites like the VMX - WPILib site shown below will show you how to install the Java JDK and then run Java code by creating classes using Notepad and then executing them using the command line in Windows. For beginners this is tedious and unnecessary.

For simple Java programs when you are just starting out I like to use a dedicated Java IDE (Integrated Development Environment). I like to use Dr Java. Download and unzip Dr Java. It does not install. Double click the file to run the IDE. The first time you run Dr Java it will ask you to install the Java JRE (Java Runtime Environment).

Dr Java lets you compile and run Java classes very quickly without more involved packages and structures.

In the example below I left the semicolon out of of the println statement. The error is clearly seen in the output.

Lots of people like to use the Eclipse IDE.

Codejava.net has a very good tutorial for starting out with Eclipse. The Hello World example built into Eclipse is missing a step so don't use it.

No matter which method or IDE you use, getting Hello World to run is an important first step. It shows that you can compile and run code on your computer. You are ready to go on and learn about variables, formatting output, decisions, branching etc. Have fun. Get comfortable with the basics before you try your hand at object oriented programming or using more complicated environments like WPILib.