This article gives you very basic knowledge about how to prepare your environment for Java, yet give you my experiences for using Java such a long time.

While we can program Java in Linux, most of this article talk about the process in Windows.

I assume that you may use many Databases, Editors (to take advantages of some features), and many versions of JDK (to maintain your old project without difficulties).

Yes, I put everything under folder Java since I program with more than 10 languages, so it will make me faster finding it. Beside, if you put some program under Windows Program File Folder, it will be to long to type it …

JDKs Folder

Lets start with JDKs Folder. Why should we need this folder?

I’ve used Java to program for quite a long time ago, so I have used the old JDK. If I have to maintain it (with tight budget from the customer), It will be better for me to used the old one rather than adjust anything with new JDK that may arise some new errors.

And if you a new Java programmer, may be you have to maintain old Java program that can not be upgarded (due to customer request) into a new JDK version.

Here is a link where you can find an old JDK:

http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/previous.jsp

Sun still maintain such of JDKs and I personally thanks to all staff of Sun for such of generousity.

Here are the JDK and JRE that’s still reside in Sun

• JDK/JRE 1.1
• JDK/JRE 1.2.1 update 4
• JDK/JRE 1.2.2 update 4 – 17
• JDK/JRE 1.3.0 initial until update 5
• JDK/JRE 1.3.1 initial until update 25
• JDK/JRE 1.4.0 initial until update 4
• JDK/JRE 1.4.1 initial until update 7
• JDK/JRE 1.4.2 initial until update 19
• JDK/JRE 5 initial until update 21
• JDK/JRE 6 initial until 16 (current is update 17)

That’s such a very good service for a free perfect thing …

Now your folder may look like this :

Notice that in JDK 6, I use 2 folders. I use that because I always use the update 6 and then will move it to the newest update but still want to test it for some time.

So I use all the JDK to make sure that we do the right ting. Upgrade can create undesirable effect if we have just a tight budget.

Drivers Folder

Yes as the name states, it will be used to store all of your database folders. Why bother? I use Oracle database back since version 5. Yes, oracle start using Java at version 8i. The problem is that oracle use the same name for jars for it’s drivers.

The name is always like these with a little bit varian (no matters the version is):

• classes111.jar
• classes111_g.jar
• classes12.jar
• classes12dms.jar
• classes12dms_g.jar
• classes12_g.jar
• javadoc.tar
• nls_charset11.jar
• nls_charset12.jar
• ocrs12.jar
• ojdbc14.jar
• ojdbc14_g.jar

It means that you can not keep them in the same folder.

In this folders you also see jTDS folder that contain driver for Microsoft SQL Server 6.5 to 2008 and  Sybase ASE version 10, 11, 12, 15. a very wonderful driver for very small size. We will discuss it in details when we cover the JDBC.

Our folder will look like this :

Editor Folders

Yes most of us fanatic with our editor. We are a kind of attached into our editors. As a hired programmers that sometime work into different company under some project leaders, I have to adjust my editor to conform to other project members.

Some editor also have features that more advance than other editors.

Here are my editor folders

We will see how we can manage this complex structure easily on my next articleo

Jakarta, November 21, 2009

Welcome to Java Cabin

I hope this blog can help you find anything you need about Java Programming. I start this with the need of a beginner in mind but I’ll try to keep it with the progress in the world of Programming.

I try to make it tools free whenever possible but I will mention tools we need in front of each article.

Happy programming

Pramudya Yanuanto