Installing jdk 1.6 as well as 1.4.2 - possible ?

Just a quick question on installing multiple jdk's. We run 1.4.2 at work but am keen to study for the SCJP exam and would like to be able to run 1.6 too.

I was going to download jdk-6u17-windows-i586.exe and then choose a directory to install it to and then create a new project in eclipse and select the jdk that I want (1.6).

Is this ok or will it foul up work settings ?!
Thanks,
Ed

You need to set the version you are using first in your PATH variable. There is a way to set the PATH for the lifetime of your terminal window/command prompt, which is something like

export PATH=/usr/java/jdk1.4.2_12/bin/:$PATH

on Unix/Linux, or

set path=c:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.4.2_12\bin;%path%

or something rather similar on Windows. By doing so you can put your 1.4 or your Java6 installations first in the PATH and use them in turn.

I am sure somebody will know the correct syntax to use for windows and correct what I have written. Or you can search; there are lots of similar installation questions here on beginning Java.

Thanks for the reply - have worked it out now - pretty straightforward but wanted to be a bit cautious.
Downloaded the sdk for 6 and the documentation (not sure why it's separate) and then can just reference it through the cmd line (windows as outlined above - just setting the path for the session) or I can use eclipse by creating a new project and selecting the jre/compliance level in the project properties.
Thanks again - Ed

Well done getting it working. The documentation is intended to be used online, so most of us don't download it.