How do I Start my first program

[Peter Okoli]

I just down loaded java 8 on my widows 8, and this is where I'm

C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.8.0_05\bin>

How do I get into the editor and write my first program

[Joanne Neal]

Peter Okoli wrote:How do I get into the editor and write my first program

There is no editor included with the JDK. You can use any text editor you want, but one that does syntax highlighting is a good idea. One that is often recommeneded for Windows users is Notepad++.

Once you've decided which editor to use, the Oracle Getting Started tutorial is a good place to start learning about Java.
I would recommend that, to start with, you ignore the instructions related to using the Netbeans IDE and instead follow those for Microsoft Windows.

[Bear Bibeault]

You also do not want to write your program files into the Java installation. Create your own folder somewhere for your project.

[vinayak jog]

I would rather prefer eclipse than to head bang on compile run etc., i guess we should be concentrating on logic.
you can download eclipse and start coding.

https://www.eclipse.org/downloads/

[Jaikiran Pai]

Peter, welcome to CodeRanch!

If you are new to Java (or any other language for that matter), it's better to stay away from any IDE till you understand the basics of the language. A simple text editor will be enough to create your first program.

We have an article specifically meant for beginners who wish to create their first Java program. Here it is https://coderanch.com/how-to/java/how-to-create-java-program

[Vern Stoked]

I understand why people would recommend not using an IDE until you understand the basics, but I would have to disagree. Knowing where your errors are is a big part of learning and having the efficiency of the IDE is very nice. Also, the IDE will often help you solve the problem and saves a few Google searches. DOWNLOAD ECLIPSE. That is my recommendation. Just follow the tutorials in the beginning and you will be just fine.

[Campbell Ritchie]

Welcome to the Ranch

I agree with the earlier advice; many people find the IDE takes so long to learn they never learn the Java.

[Robert James Liguori]

I would recommend that you eventually use an IDE. Here are your primary choices:

-- Robert

[Charles D. Ward]

I agree with avoiding IDEs when you're just starting out. You should focus on learning Java, not an IDE.

[Anagha Khyathi]

I prefer you should better opt for a Notepad++ than an IDE,opting IDE initially is not a better option ,as you cannot learn java basics completely using IDE.

Try out using some of the sites like http://www.tutorialspoint.com/java/

http://www.learnjavaonline.org/en/Hello%2C_World!

[Campbell Ritchie]

Welcome to the Ranch

I think both those tutorials run poor second to the Java Tutorials, particularly the first one you mentioned which is full of errors.

[Winston Gutkowski]

Vern Stoked wrote:I understand why people would recommend not using an IDE until you understand the basics, but I would have to disagree.

And I'm with the others here so, as you can probably imagine, I disagree with you.

knowing where your errors are is a big part of learning...

Actually, I'd say that learning to prevent errors is far more important than knowing where they are.

and having the efficiency of the IDE is very nice.

Now there I can't disagree. IDEs are great. I think what most of us are saying is: don't use them straight away.

Winston

[Campbell Ritchie]

I do agree with Robert Liquori, however. Later, when you are more experienced, you will find an IDE makes program development much faster.

[vinayak jog]

If you want to learn java try to read the code from http://grepcode.com/.

[Jaikiran Pai]

vinayak jog wrote:If you want to learn java try to read the code from http://grepcode.com/.

How is browsing some random Java files going to help someone who's new to the language and wants to create his first program?