Download & Install the JDK

(Free Web Tutorials & Resources)

by Michael Thomas
(updated 08/09/2010)

Java First Steps Home Page

To begin to play with Java, you need to download the following files:  Java JDK (Java Development Kit) aka SDK (Software Development Kit), JRE (Java Runtime Environment) and the Java API Doc's.  (Sun now has a download manager that you can use to download large files.  If you desire to use a different download manager see my notes on "Download Managers" at the bottom of this page)

Java Product Family

Summary of steps

• Download the Java Products:  JDK, DOC's, and JRE.

• Install each of the products

• Test the installs.

Download the Java Products

Download Links

• JDK 6 Update 21 (Version: 1.6.0_21) - Current Download versions for Windows OS as of 08/09/2010 that is not a beta version. 
  
  You will be downloading the JDK, JRE, and DOC's. Click the "Download" tab at the top, then click Java SE.
  • Go to: http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/overview/index.html
    (Old link, keep for reference: http://java.sun.com/j2se/)
  • Click the "Download" tab which is next to the "Overview" tab.
  • Optional reading.  Notes as of 06/10/08:
    • Note:  You may want to stay away from Beta versions.
    • Here is a some info on the difference between the "JDK 6" and "JDK 6 with Java EE"
      • Both have the Java SE (Standard Editon) JDK along with the Java RE (Runtime Environment).
      • The EE edition includes the Java SE and also supports:
        web services, component-model, management, and communications APIs that make it the industry standard for implementing enterprise-class service-oriented architecture (SOA) and Web 2.0 applications.
      • The EE edition is about 100meg larger than the SE.
      • The EE edition also installs an Application Server with default ports:
        Admin Port: 4848
        HTTP Port: 8080  (Warning: Default of Tomcat is 8080 also.)
        HTTPS Port: 8181
        (Some Install Options: Create window service (to startup the app server) )
        The following will also be installed: (for Java EE 5 SDK)
        Sun Java System Message Queue 4.1
        Sun Java System Application Server 9.1
        Java BluePrints
        Sample Apps & tutorial called "Your First Cup"
  • JDK Download:
    Locate the section "JDK 6 Update 21". 
    Click the link "Download JDK"
    Click the "Download" button.
    (Note: This download will install both the Java SE Development Kit (JDK), the Java Runtime Environment (JRE).  The JDK is required if you want to compile a program.  The JRE is required if you want to run a Java program.)
    FYI: 
    • Select your "Platform" (ex: Windows (for 32bit), Windows X64 (for 64bit like Win 7))
    • Click "Continue"
    • Click on "jdk-6u21-windows-i586.exe" - 76 Meg (Ex: Windows 32 bit)
      or
      Click on "jdk-6u21-windows-x64.exe" - 66 Meg (Ex: Windows 64 bit)
  • Documentation Download (Optional but every developer will want to do this!):
    • Go to: http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html
    • Look for the section titled: Java SE 6 Documentation
    • Click on the "Download Zip" button.
      jdk-6u21-docs.zip - 58 meg.
    • Later in this tutorial you will install the documentation.
    • Some online resources for documentation:
      Java SE Technical Documentation: http://download.oracle.com/javase/
      Java EE Technical Documentation: http://download.oracle.com/javaee/
  • Optional Download Information
    • Download just the JRE
      When you install the JDK you also install the JRE.  The JDK is required if you want to compile a program.  The JRE is required if you want to run a Java program.  So an end user will only need the JRE. 
      You can download just the JRE by clicking on the link "JRE".
• Other Download Info
  • Archive Download Versions:
    http://java.sun.com/products/archive/index.html - Java Archives of older versions.

Install the JDK

Install Notes for: Java SE Development Kit 6 Update 21

• Prepare PC for Installation
  • User's "Environment Variables": temp & tmp   (DO NOT SKIP THIS STEP!)
    
    I've seen the "bin\javac.exe" get installed with 0 bytes.  The solution is to make sure the User's  "Environment Variables" temp & tmp is set to "c:\temp" before starting the install.
    I've seen other software installs have similar issues so I would leave it set to c:\temp.
    
    First, make sure that the directory exists - c:\temp
    
    Win 7: Start, Control Panel, "System & Security", "System", "Advanced System Settings", click "Enrironment Variables" then look in the top section called "User variables ...."
    Edit and set to:  c:\temp
     
• Version JDK 1.6 Update 21 (Version: 1.6.0_21) - install requires 300 Meg.
  • Install the JDK & JRE  (Example of Windows 64 bit install)
    File: jdk-6u21-windows-x64.exe - Java SE Development Kit 6 Update 21
    • Double click on the install file. 
    • Welcome Screen - click "Next"
    • Custom Setup Screen
      • Click "Change"
        Note: The default is: C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.6.0_21\
        The spaces in "Program Files" will give you headaches down the road and may be difficult to get certain applications working!  (Trust me on this one!)
        Also you may want to have more than one JDK installed to support different applications.
        
        I suggest you use the following directory structure:  c:\java\jdk1.6.0_21
         
      • Click "Next"
      • JRE Destination Folder Screen
        Keep the default.  Click "Next"
        Note: Default = C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\ - Because this is just the Run Time I would use the default install value.  The other location could be: \java\jre6
      • Click "Product Registration Information" if you want to register.
      • Click "Finish".
      • Note: No reboot is required.
         
    • Readme File: C:\java\jdk1.6.0_21\README.html
    • Optional, but common and adivsed:
      • Add/Verify Environment Variables so other tools/apps can use (like Ant, etc...)
        • Go to the Environment Variable add/edit screen:
          Win 7: Start, Control Panel, "System and Security", "System", "Advanced System Settings", click the tab "Advanced", Environment Variables
          Win XP Pro: Settings, Control Panel, System, Advanced tab, click on "Environment Variable" button
        • In the "System Variables" section:
          Verify/Add the JAVA_HOME environment variable:
          Click "New"
          Variable Name: JAVA_HOME
          Variable Value: <Full path to the home directory of your JDK install>
          Ex: C:\java\jdk1.6.0_21
          (Note: The Sun java installs (JDK and/or JRE) modifies the PATH variable and does not create the variable "JAVA_HOME".  Other Java tools may use this environment system variable like: Ant)
        • In the "System Variables" section:
          Edit the variable: Path
          View the contents and add the following to the end (notice the semicolon) if the install did not add it: ;C:\java\jdk1.6.0_21\bin
          (Note:  ;%JAVA_HOME%\bin could also be added instead!)
           
• Install the Java Docs.
  File: jdk-6u10-docs.zip (older version jdk-1-6-doc.zip)
  • Copy the .zip file to the root of the JDK install directory
    (IE: C:\java\jdk1.6.0_21\)
  • Extract the file (make sure the unzip program keeps the directory structure in the zip file).
    It will create a directory called "docs/etc..." with all of the files.
    Note:  Extracts out to be 300 meg
  • Your Finished with the Doc install.
  • Additonal Info
    • The EE (not SE) docs were install above with the JDK x EE install (see notes above).

• If you decide you want to install the Java EE SDK I've included those steps.
  • glassfish - is an Enterprise Edition of a web application server.
• To download
  • Go to: http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/overview/index.html
  • Click "Java EE" on the left panel.
  • Click the "Download" tab.
  • Click the download link under the title "Java EE 6 SDK"
• Install the JDK & JRE  (Example of Windows 64 bit install)
  File: java_ee_sdk-6u1-jdk-windows-x64.exe (134 meg) - install requires 337 Meg.
  • Double click on the install file. 
  • Screen: Welcome Screen
    Click "Next"
  • Screen: Installation Directory
    Note: The default is: C:\glassfishv3
    Click "Next"
  • Screen: Administration Settings
    Admin Port: 4848
    Http Port: 8080  (note: I would used 8081 if you plan to use Tomcat!).
    Username: admin
    Password: <choose a password>
    Click "Next"
  • Screen: Update Configuration
    • Leave blank and click "Next" - unless you want to participate in the "Glassfish Usage Metric" project.
  • Screen: Ready To Install
    click "Install"
  • Screen: Product Registration
    • Select "Skip Registration" if you want.
  • Screen: Summary
    • Optional - click the install summary link:
      ex: C:\temp\2010-08-24-20-19-install-summary.html
    • http://docs.sun.com/app/docs/doc/820-7689 - Glassfish - Quick Start Guide
    • http://docs.sun.com/app/docs/doc/820-7690 - Sun GlassFish Enterprise Server v3 Installation Guide
  • Your finished.
  • Resources
    • Java Documentation
      • C:\glassfishv3\glassfish\docs\api\index.html - Java Docs - Java EE 6 API Specification
      • C:\glassfishv3\glassfish\docs\about_sdk.html - SDK Documentation main page
      • C:\glassfishv3\glassfish\docs\about.html - Glassfish Documentation main page
      • file:///C:/glassfishv3/pkg/javadocs/index.html - com.sun.pkg.client - javadocs - com.sun.pkg.client
    • Tutorial
      • C:\glassfishv3\glassfish\docs\firstcup-2.0\doc\index.html  - Your First Cup: An Introduction to the Java EE Platform
      • C:\glassfishv3\glassfish\docs\javaee-tutorial\doc\index.html - The Java EE 6 Tutorial
    • Samples
      • C:\glassfishv3\jdk\sample - several samples including webservices.
  • Readme File: C:\glassfishv3\jdk\README.html
  • Optional, but common and adivsed:
    • Add/Verify Environment Variables so other tools/apps can use (like Ant, etc...)
      • Go to the Environment Variable add/edit screen:
        Win 7: Start, Control Panel, "System and Security", "System", "Advanced System Settings", click the tab "Advanced", Environment Variables
        Win XP Pro: Settings, Control Panel, System, Advanced tab, click on "Environment Variable" button
      • In the "System Variables" section:
        Verify/Add the JAVA_HOME environment variable:
        Click "New"
        Variable Name: JAVA_HOME
        Variable Value: <Full path to the home directory of your JDK install>
        Ex: C:\java\jdk1.6.0_21
        (Note: The Sun java installs (JDK and/or JRE) modifies the PATH variable and does not create the variable "JAVA_HOME".  Other Java tools may use this environment system variable like: Ant)
      • In the "System Variables" section:
        Edit the variable: Path
        View the contents and add the following to the end (notice the semicolon) if the install did not add it: ;C:\java\jdk1.6.0_21\bin
        (Note:  ;%JAVA_HOME%\bin could also be added instead!)
         

Test the Install

• Reboot your PC - To be on the safe side, let's reboot.  Not normally necessary.
• Java Docs - Using windows explorer launch the following file:
  C:\java\jdk1.6.0_21\docs\index.html - Your browser will display the page.
  At the top of the page click on "API & Language" - This is the Java API.
• Go to a DOS prompt.
  (Start, Programs, Command Prompt) or (Start, Run, then cmd.exe for XP, Win2000, NT or command.com for Win 95/98)
• Test the JRE:
  DOS Command Ex: C:\>"C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\java.exe" -fullversion
  Ex return: java full version "1.6.0_21-b07"
• Test the JDK's JRE:
  DOS Command Ex: C:\>"C:\java\jdk1.6.0_21\bin\java.exe" -fullversion
  Ex return: java full version "1.6.0_21-b07"
• Test your Environment Variable: Path
  DOS Command Ex: C:\>javadoc.exe -help  (Note: javac.exe and not java.exe!)
  Ex return: Help info for javadoc command.
  (Note: If you get a error, go back up to the section where the Path variable is set and follow those steps.)
• Test your Environment Variable: JAVA_HOME
  DOS Command Ex: C:\>%JAVA_HOME%\bin\javadoc.exe -help
  Ex return: Help info for javadoc command.
  (Note: If you get a error, go back up to the section where the Path variable is set and follow those steps.)
• C:\java.exe - java.exe may come from several locations!
  • Warning:  Every time you install a JDK or JRE, the file "java.exe" is over written (see notes below for the directory location). Remember this when you are testing different JRE versions.
    • Win 7: C:\Windows\System32 - (files: java.exe, javaw.exe, javaws.exe)
    • Legacy Windows OSs: "c:\winnt\java.exe" or "c:\windows\java.exe"
• Test the compiler:
  DOS Command Ex: "C:\java\jdk1.6.0_21\bin\javac.exe" -help
  The above DOS command should display help for the compiler.
  (Note:  DOS gives the error: ... javac.exe is not a valid Win32 application.  If the bytes size = 0 then reinstall the JDK.  I would change the Users "Environment Variables" temp & tmp to "c:\temp".  Then click on the EXE again and choose the option to "Reinstall".  (voice of experience!).)
   

Congratulations,
you have installed the JDK/SDK, JRE, and Java Docs!

Uninstall Notes

• Control Panel, Add/Remove Programs, then click "Remove" for the following:

  • For Java 6 (1.6.xxx)

    • Uninstall the JDK - Example: Java(TM) SE Development Kit 6 Update 6

    • Uninstall the JRE - Example: Java(TM) 6 Update 6

  • For Java 5 (1.5.xxx)

    • Uninstall the JDK - Example: Java2SE Development Kit 5.0

    • Uninstall the JRE - Example: Java2SE Runtime Environment Kit 5.0

Terminology

• Java SDK - compile code, run applications, create API's for your code, etc...
  • SDK - Software Development Kit.  Any way you download a SDK.  After installation the directory will be called "JDK1.3"  etc...
  • JDK - Java Development Kit - compile code, run applications, crate API's for your code, etc...
    Note: Version 1.1 was called JDK 1.1.  (Next versions were called J2SDK.)
  • J2SE - Java 2 Standard Edition.
  • J2EE - Java 2 Enterprise Edition
  • J2SDK vx.x - Java 2 Software Development Kit - compile & run Java programs.
  • J2RE  vx.x - Java 2 Runtime Environment - run java programs (you can't compile).
• Java API Docs - html files you can use to guide you through the Java classes.
  API - Application Interface.
• JRE - Java Runtime Environment.  The JRE v 1.2 and above also includes the Java Plug-In.  Use the JRE to run java applications. It is the runtime part of the Java Development Kit, but without the development tools such as compilers and debuggers.  This is what your users will use to run Java applications.  You don't need it unless you want to test what the users will be using.
• Java Plug-In:  needed to run Java Applets that use Java technology (versions) in which the browsers (IE, Netscape, etc...) have not implement yet.  You do not use the applet tags in this case.  Use the HTMLconverter to convert the applet tag to the appropriate object tag.

Miscellaneous Reference Information (Size of Files & Browser Compatibility)

• J2SE 1.6
  Note: The JDK also contains the JRE.
  JDK -  jdk-6u21-windows-x64.exe - 68 MB
  Docs -jdk-6u10-docs.zip - 58MB; jdk-6-doc.zip - 52.36 MB
• J2SE 1.5
  Note: The JDK also contains the JRE.
  JDK - jdk-1_5_0-windows-i586.exe - 45Meg
  Docs - jdk-1_5_0-doc.zip - 45Meg
  JRE - jre-1_5_0-windows-i586.exe
  Installs to:
  • JDK 1.3.1_01 - c:\jdk1.3.1_01
  • JDK 1.3.0 - All install to c:\jdk1.3
• J2SE 1.4
• J2SE 1.3
  • JDK 1.3.1 33Meg, Doc's 22Meg, JRE 5.2Meg
    (ex: SDK: j2sdk-1_3_1_01-win.exe, Docs: j2sdk-1_3_1-doc.zip, JRE: j2re-1_3_1-win.exe)
  • Browsers that support JDK 1.3
    • As of 9/6/01 None - best support is Netscape 6
• J2SE 1.2.2_017  (released 12/4/98)
  • J2SE 1.2.2: JDK ~21M, Doc's ~18M, JRE ~5.3M  (Will not work on Win NT 3.51)
    • 2 Downloads:  J2SE SDK (included JRE) & Docs
    • J2SE install also installs the JRE.
      • Default JRE path: c:\Program Files\JavaSoft\JRE\1.2
    • JDK Default install: C:\jdk1.2.2
    • Doc default install: c:\j2sdkee1.2.1\docs - (Note: Unzip in the c:\jdk1.2.2 directory)
  • Browsers that support JDK 1.2
    • As of 9/6/01 Netscape 6
• JDK 1.1.8_010
  • JDK ~9M, Doc's ~3.6M , JRE - ~2.7M
    JDK - didn't include the docs.  The docs was in a .zip file that you extracted.
  • Browsers that support JDK 1.1
    • IE 4.x, 5.x
    • NS 4.x
    • HotJava 3.x

Download Managers
Having Download Problems ?

Download Managers - I suggest you get a program to help in downloading large files.  Even if you get knocked of the internet, it will resume again.  I've downloaded a 500 meg file before.  They will normal be launched from your browser.

• http://www.5star-shareware.com/Internet/DownloadManagers/netzip-demon.html - Netzip Download Demon - I use this product.  This product will automaticall work with HTTP downloads only, not FTP.
• http://www.gozilla.com/ - go!zilla