Getting Started: What You Need to Download

In order to start programming in Java you are going to need to download a few things. If you don't like reading you can go right to the download links at the bottom of this article.

The first thing you are going to need is a text editor. The best one I have come across for programming is Notepad++. It helps with code layout and readability by automatically indenting and highlighting. It also helps with debugging by showing you the line numbers.

One thing that you absolutely need is the Java JDK. It allows you to compile your Java programs so your computer can run them. Without it your programs would basically be just a text file.

Optionally, you can download Eclipse. Eclipse is an Integrated Development Environment or IDE for short. Put simply, it is a text editor, debugger, and the JDK  combined into one program. I do not recommend downloading Eclipse when you're first starting out as it takes away a key part in learning about the language itself.


Downloads:

• Notepad++

• JDK

• Eclipse IDE for Java Developers (Optional but not recommended)