I have not had a great difficulty from using wrong version of
Java to study, except for installation issues. IDE's are great, after you get going. We should have a better editor available for dedicated java beginner use, we don't and I have not found one on the web except for TextPad. That one is free trial version with moderated fees for single user license. The Java is not strong there - this is the best beginner forum.
Are you on a Unice machine? Most IDE's have built in editor, and they work great. The challenge is avoiding all the fancy stuff it wants to stuff in your program. That can be used as study material. Just be prepared for 'starting all over again' many times. It is seemingly endless.
{ message edit: Arachnophillia is an editor written entirely in Java - and runs remarkably well once you get frustrated with notepad's limited concept of a syntax. (
humor )
} [ May 11, 2008: Message edited by: Nicholas Jordan ]