Setting up a Java IDE to do some programming?

Question

Hi

I recently came upon an old release of Java for Dummies, 2005. Would like to learn some Java programming. Only problem I have now, is that I downloaded the IDE, JCreator, and I also got the newest version of J2SE, but it seems like I also need to download the Javadocs/API's....or something like that. Now the book gives kinda a description of where to find this, but this was about 4 years ago!! So evidently, Sun International have changed their site.

All I wanna know is, is the API docs part of the J2SE installation?
Cause when configuring the IDE, it has to point towards the doc folder which contains these files, and I cant find it
But when I build and run a demo, it does so smoothly.
So is it already included in the package, or do I still need to download it?

Answer 1

Normally if you download J2SE package, they will give javadoc with that package, still if you don't find then go to this link and download

http://java.sun.com/javase/reference/index.jsp



I wondered how IDE tool ask you to point to doc folder, I think no tool point to this. If in case it asks you, that means you need to create a new doc and your IDE will run the javadoc on your applications and store the doc files in that doc folder.



First try to install javadoc from the above site and try, if it doedn't work go for second paragraph.

Answer 2

It is usually good if the IDE asks you for the API.



Go to where your copy of Java has been downloaded. On my machine it is

C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.6.0_02



The API is in the 'docs' folder of this.



If you cannot find it, you can download the API from here

C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.6.0_02\docs



Go down the page to

Java SE 6 Documentation

and click "Download" and follow the instructions.

Answer 3

For writing programs you do not need it.

But it is very helpful to see the methods and their examples.

To compile and run, you need to reach bin directory and your source file such as sample.java



It is already included in the package.

If it is available to download, do not hesitate to download it.

Check its site.

Answer 4

You don't need it. But if you want it, just google "java API"