The installation process to set up Java and everything on Head First Java 2nd Edition.

[Michael Kinberger]

Hello, I started using Java about a week ago on Eclipse, using tutorials from lynda.com.
I researched the best way to learn Java and found a few books. I havnt even started
writing code and am stuck on SETTING UP JAVA in the book Head First Java the 2nd edition.

I am stressing out and cant seem to understand what to do.

It tells me I need J2SE SDK, I installed JDK 7, is this the same thing just a newer version?

It tells me I need to download the API Documentation as it is not included.
I go to the download page and it has a massive list of API Doc's, I dont know what I am needing
to download.

You need to add an entry to your PATH environment variable that points to the /bin
directory inside the main Java directory. For example, if the J2SDK puts a directory on your
drive called “j2sdk1.5.0”, look inside that directory and you’ll find the “bin” directory where the
Java binaries (the tools) live. The bin directory is the one you need a PATH to.

A PATH from where? This confused me also...

Last thing, the command line it talks about, where do I find this command line?

Basically I need the whole installation in way more simple terms, this is probably the most
ridiculous requests, but if someone can please take the time to help me out on my journey I
would VERY, VERY much appreciate it.

Thank you sooo much in advance! Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you!

[Bear Bibeault]

Linux? OS X? Windows? It'll be slightly different on each.

[Bear Bibeault]

A few answers:

Michael Kinberger wrote:It tells me I need J2SE SDK, I installed JDK 7, is this the same thing just a newer version?

Yes.

It tells me I need to download the API Documentation as it is not included.

You can just reference it online if you like.

A PATH from where? This confused me also...

PATH is an environment variable. How to modify it is platform-dependent. It may also be handled for you during installation.

Last thing, the command line it talks about, where do I find this command line?

Platform dependent.

[Michael Kinberger]

I have Windows 8

[Michael Kinberger]

Platform dependent meaning can only be modified in cmd prompt?

Thank-you guys for the replys.

[Paweł Baczyński]

Platform dependent means that on various OS-es the method of bringing up a command line is different.
On Windows 8 press win+R, type cmd and press Enter.

[Michael Kinberger]

I wrote a code from the book in my notepad++ and executed the file through cmd prompt.
Do I use the cmd prompt throughout the book? The book is Head First Java second edition.

Thanks again everyone.

[Campbell Ritchie]

Probably best to use a terminal throughout, yes.