installing Java : Java Glossary

The simplest way to install Java in order to run Java Applets, Java Web Start or Java applications is just to click the Jump To Java logo above and follow your nose. In just a few clicks, you will be up and running. The rest of these instructions are to help you if something goes wrong or if you are want to write your own Java programs.

To run Java programs, all you need is the JRE. If you want to write your own Java programs, you need the larger JDK which includes the JRE (Java Runtime Environment). You don’t need both.

You want the most recent version, Java 1.7.0_04. Last revised: 2008-01-16 Verified: 2008-02-09. The Wassup Applet will tell you if you already have it. If it fails to run, you don’t. You can also tell if you have it already from the Java console. Either off-line or online installation will work. The advantage of off-line is you get a copy of the install to keep to use for reinstall later. The advantage of the online install is it is a little simpler. You don’t need both.

Unfortunately, there are still a four optional steps you must do manually after you install Java:

Going into Control Panel ⇒ Java to tweak options, e.g. to make the console visible.
Making *.jar files executable.
Repairing possibly damaged Java Web Start Associations of the *.jnlp files (MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) application/x-java-jnlp-file) to be handled by javaws.exe in Windows. These tell windows to hand any *.jnlp Java Web Start files to javaws.exe.
Repairing possibly damaged Java Web Start Associations of the *.jnlp files to be handled by javaws.exe in your browser. These tell your browser to hand any *.jnlp Java Web Start files to javaws.exe.

associations
browsers
CLASSPATH
console
HelloWorld
help troubleshooting
installer
installing a browser
installing Java Web Start
Java Control Panel
Java Web Start
JDK
JRE
loading
making jar files executable and double clickable
silent install
Sun’s test of Java JRE in a browser

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