I'm trying to learn Java (the programming language). What should I download?

Question

First of all, sorry I'm such a complete n00b. Anyway, I'm on Oracle.com right now, trying to figure out what to download in order to practice designing games. I'm going into game design next year in college. I know a lot about games...unfortunately, I know NOTHING about Java (and I have to). Should I download Java ME SDK 3.0, the Wireless Toolkit...I just do not know what any of this means.

Answer 1

The best way would be to go here:

http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/jdk-7-netbeans-download-432126.html



and download the JDK 7u3 with NetBeans 7.1.1



For beginners it can be a pain to install java and set the classpaths right for things to work. It is better to download java with the netbeans IDE that comes with an installer that will do all the groundwork for you.



What you need after that is a good book like Thinking in Java by Bruce Eckel. Once you know the basics of the language you can go into the specifics like game programming.

Answer 2

You can download jdk1.6xxx

Answer 3

download eclipse its fast and easy to install and it's great for beginners.