Suggested Projects

Skill-Building Exercises

1. Obtain and Install the J2SDK:   Obtain the Java 2 Standard Edition Software Development Kit from Sun and install on your computer. Note the name of the SDK install directory for future reference.

2. Operating System Configuration:   Ensure your operating system PATH and CLASSPATH environment variables are set properly. Refer to the sections in this chapter that relate to your operating system for instructions on how to set them.

3. Test the SDK:   After you have installed the SDK and have configured your operating system s PATH and CLASSPATH environment variables, test the SDK by typing javac at a command or terminal window. If you did not get the expected results, re-check your environment variable settings and keep at it until you get it working.

4. Obtain and Install a Programmer’s Text Editor:   Research the various programmer s text editors available for your computer, select one, and install it. Some features to look for include syntax highlighting and Java command-line tool integration.

5. Obtain and Install an Integrated Development Environment:   Research the various IDEs available for your computer, and obtain one that s appropriate for your development situation. Your decision may be driven by various factors such as school or work requirements or personal preference.

6. Create, Compile, and Run a Java Project:   After you have installed and configured your development environment, create a Java project using the source files given in examples 2.1 and 2.2. The objective of this exercise is to get you comfortable with using your chosen development environment.