Java Environment Setup

Are you ready to write your first Java program? Before jumping into the code, the first step is to set up your Java development environment. This tutorial will walk you through the process of downloading, installing, and configuring everything you need to start coding in Java.

Whether you’re on Windows, macOS, or Linux, we’ve got you covered!

What You Need to Run Java

To develop and run Java programs, you’ll need two main tools:

JDK (Java Development Kit) – Contains the Java compiler (javac) and other tools to develop Java applications.
IDE (Integrated Development Environment) – A text editor designed for writing code. Popular IDEs for Java include IntelliJ IDEA, Eclipse, and VS Code.

Step 1: Download and Install the JDK

Download JDK

Visit the official Oracle website or OpenJDK site to download the latest JDK version.

Oracle JDK: https://www.oracle.com/java/technologies/javase-downloads.html

OpenJDK (free and open source): https://jdk.java.net

Choose the version that matches your operating system.

Install JDK (Windows/macOS/Linux)

Windows: Run the .exe installer and follow the prompts.
macOS: Download and install the .dmg file.
Linux: Use your package manager (e.g., sudo apt install openjdk-17-jdk on Ubuntu).

Step 2: Set JAVA_HOME and PATH (Windows)

After installing JDK, you should set up environment variables so that Java can be accessed from any terminal or command prompt.

Setting JAVA_HOME and PATH (Windows):

Open System Properties > Advanced > Environment Variables
Click New under “System Variables”
- Variable name: JAVA_HOME
- Variable value: Path to your JDK folder (e.g., C:\Program Files\Java\jdk-17)
Select the Path variable > Click Edit
Add:
%JAVA_HOME%\bin
Verify Installation
Open Command Prompt and type:
java -version javac -version
You should see the installed Java version displayed.

Step 3: Choose and Install an IDE

Here are some popular Java IDEs:

IDE	Description	Download Link
IntelliJ IDEA	Beginner-friendly, rich features	jetbrains.com/idea
Eclipse	Popular in enterprise environments	eclipse.org
VS Code	Lightweight, needs Java extension	code.visualstudio.com

Choose one and install it like any other software.

Bonus: Useful Java CLI Tools

javac – Compiles .java files
java – Runs compiled .class files
javadoc – Generates documentation
jar – Packages Java files into a .jar archive

Conclusion

Setting up the Java environment is a one-time process, but it’s the foundation of your development journey. Once it’s done, you’re ready to write, compile, and run Java programs effortlessly.