want to use Java to develope a client-base application to connects to a database(ms access…etc)
look around the web and saw numerous different Java stuff, which Java applications combination do i need?
any help appreciated
Well, buy a book is a good way to start, use programs like BlueJ and JCreator for your coding.
i recommend jcreator
then what are those JDK, SDK…etc about, they are not needed?
is Java similar to Linux? where they are the same technology but with many different distribution? is Java free?
Aha - I’m getting into Java as well, and I’m reading “Exploring Java”, published by O’Reilly. 's a good back, with many samples, illustrated etc.
Java works with the write-once, run anywhere methodology, basically meaning that you can run it on any platform that has the JVM for that particular platform installed - the Java Virtual Machine. Unlike other languages, Java compiles to bytecode, which is then interpreted by the Virtual Machine on that system. So, you can run your Java applications on any machine that has a JVM for it’s platform. There is a JVM for Windows, for Mac OS X, for Linux, Solaris, you name it.
The JVM takes care of the platform-specific properties. The JVM then interprets the bytecode you compiled. Because it’s always the JVM that interprets the code, Java has accomplished it’s compile once, run anywhere methodology, since the bytecode can be interpreted by any system with a JVM installed on it.
So the first thing to do is go to the Sun site, http://www.sun.com, (Sun are the creators of Java), and download the JVM specific for your platform. There are several JVMs out there. Microsoft for example has a JVM of it’s own, but it’s not as good as the original Sun JVM.
Ok, so now your system can interpret Java ! But, you’ll need more than that to actually create your own Java applications - the Java SDK that is: JSDK, or simply JDK. SDK stands for Software Development Kit, and JSDK is thus the Java Software Development Kit. You’ll need these tools to start creating your own Java applications.
I for one am using the Eclipse IDE, which at first couldn’t highlight and tooltip the Java language. But after having installed the JDK, it worked. Eclipse is free, you can check it out at http://www.eclipse.org.
so is Java Development Kit (JDK), the Java 2 Software Development Kit (SDK), and the Java 2 Standard Edition (J2SE) all the same thing?
am i right to say that all i need is a JVM, a J2SEv1.4.2 and a IDE - (is NetBeans 3.6 usefull?)
so Java is really free, with many different distribution as well, same as Linux.
No, you need the Java Software Development Kit, the JSDK, but that’s also called JDK, Java Development Kit. You need an SDK for Java, and that SDK is JSDK or also called JDK.
So yes, you need the JVM, the JDK (I think that’s included in J2SE) and an IDE. And yes, Java is free.
I took Java programming in college. It was really more of a class on Object Oriented Programming using the Java language, but at any rate, we used a book called Big Java. It was extremely useful, came with a cd full of examples. And really beat OOP into your head, which now I believe is probably the most important aspect of programming today. But that is just one mans humble opinion. 
-Ryan
you should check out http://processing.org/ its a good way to start with java, i believe. it compiles to java byte code and its real easy and free. AND IT ROCKS!
I would not recommend Processing for those who want to learn Java. You should not work on a GUI or graphical anything until you know the language well enough. You should first work on Applications and actually learn Java before you work on applets, web-based solutions, and GUIs. Also, I would recommend a text book (like the kind used in schools) called: Java Software Solutions for Ap Computer Science
It’s hard to find a copy, but it teaches Java very well.
I recommend JBuilder ($99 Student Discount) Although, there are many great free IDEs. (Do not get Microsoft VisualJ++ 6, it’s highly screwed up.)
Well, it depends… Java is free (as in beer) but not free (as in speech). It comes with fairly restrictive licensing agreements and things, so Linux distros can’t distribute it.
That will probably change… When Sun’s stocks get even lower.
EDIT: Stocks not Stalks lol… I duno how I got that typo thingy by.
