trying to understand java environments

[dummie2]

trying to understand java platforms?<br>I've been studying java from a conceptual standpoint for the past&nbsp;&nbsp;month or so, like all about classes, packages, inheretance, encapsulation...etc.&nbsp;&nbsp;First, I downloaded jdk 1.1.8 and it's docs.&nbsp;&nbsp;I followed directions and created a couple of simple applets to see them work.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><br>I noticed another platform feature on java website called j2sdk v1.3.&nbsp;&nbsp;and I downloaded that one.&nbsp;&nbsp;<br><br>Between these two versions, jdk 1.1.8 docs is easier to follow.&nbsp;&nbsp;I can just position the mouse over a highlighted reference and the page in the doc opens up.&nbsp;&nbsp;As for the j2sdk v1.3, everything downloaded in Winzip.&nbsp;&nbsp;I can scroll through the winzip files and open a page, however when I want to reference a highlighted reference from that page, it won't open.&nbsp;&nbsp;I would have to go scrolling winzip to find the file pertaining to the subject. Which is like looking for a needle in a haystack.&nbsp;&nbsp;My gut feeling tells me that this isn't the way it should be.&nbsp;&nbsp;But I don't know for sure.&nbsp;&nbsp;It seems to me that there should be an index page that I can easily access any subject in the docs by using the mouse. Like jdk 1.1.8 docs for example.&nbsp;&nbsp;Can you verify that this is simply the way the docs are viewed with j2sdk version or if I've done something wrong when I downloaded them???<br><br>Another dilemma I'm confronted with is that I'm wanting to shift to applying code.&nbsp;&nbsp;I've done that with jdk 1.1.8, I'm familiar with the steps and the process using 1.1.8 and I've seen it work. (script in notepad, open command prompt and type javac firstApplet.java where it creates a class file, then create a HTML so it can run in the browser). I'm not familiar w/the j2sdk environment.&nbsp;&nbsp;Where do I go to use that environment and how do I know if I'm using j2sdk or jdk 1.1.8???<br><br>So, now I'm going to try and play around with this program in the tutorial called 'BINGO'.&nbsp;&nbsp;write the code and compile it.&nbsp;&nbsp;Getting started I see that it uses 'Swing'.&nbsp;&nbsp;This is something that I haven't covered.&nbsp;&nbsp;So I'm going through that tutorial to cover its concepts.&nbsp;&nbsp;First of all, the tutorial starts covering different environments to compile it in or run it.&nbsp;&nbsp;jdk 1.1 doesnt have 'swing' and that to use that version I need to download the swing feature. But jdk 1.2 does have the swing feature.&nbsp;&nbsp;So now I'm confused on what the jdk 1.2 version is and should I download that one???<br><br>So if anyone can help me straighten all these environmental differences out for my own peace of mind and so I'll know what I'm working with, I would appreciate it.

 

[carpeliam]

Well when you refer to documentation, I'm not sure exactly what you mean... but the most helpful documentation for me is the API, so I'll refer you to that. For Java 1.3, it's at <A HREF="

http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.3/docs/api/"

TARGET="_new">

http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.3/docs/api/</A><br><br>I'd

urge you not to use anything older than Java 1.2 ... I use Java 1.2.2 (just change the 3 in the above link to a 2). To browse the API, just click on the class or package you want to know about.<br><br>If you download the documentation, I'd urge you to extract the zip file to a folder. You'll get much better performance when your computer isn't constantly extracting file by file.<br><br><br>Now as to which java you're using... they are both used in the same way, with the same tools. The Java1.3 compiler is also called javac.exe. However, which one you're running is dependent on your classpath. You could write a batch file to set your classpath (I have a FAQ that sets classpath if you'd like- if you need a better explanation, let me know). I know on a Unix OS there's a cmd line function called &quot;which java&quot; or &quot;where java&quot; or something like that that will let you know what java program you're referring to when you call it, but I don't know if there's a similar Windows command.<br><br>If you're going to use classpath, I don't think you can still have your file in a zip. Actually, that might be your problem- when you double-click on something inside of winzip, it extracts it into a temporary directory, so any links in that file don't point to where they're supposed to. Extracting the zip into a file would solve that (just right-click on the zip file and press &quot;extract to...&quot.<br><br>And as to your swing question... I think you might be misunderstanding the concept of a version number. You already have version 1.3, which comes after version 1.2. Therefore, version 1.3 already has swing; so you don't need to download anything new.<br><br>If you need any additional help (with setting up your classpath, dealing with your winzip file, or anything else that happens to pop up), just let me know. Best of luck! <p>Liam Morley<br><a href=mailto:lmorley@wpi.edu>lmorley@wpi.edu</a><br><a href=

http://www.wpi.edu/~lmorley/>

] :: imotic :: website :: [</a><br>"light the deep, and bring silence to the world.<br>
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