So you've installed everything that you need to get you started on your 'Road to Java' - or have you? How do you know it's even working? You can download the JDKs from Java, and install all of the prerequisites for the Blackberry MDS and other 3rd-Party solutions... but even if you get all of those JDKs, Runtimes and whatnot installed properly - the system might not be setup in proper working order. In other words, you still won't be able to do anything after all that time spent downloading and installing because something is off.

I ran into this actually - no matter what I did, I couldn't get my applications to compile and run properly. At first thinking it was the code that I was writing, I opened up my copy of Head First Java and copied the Hello World examples - simple prinln examples. Still nothing. My Java classes just wouldn't compile - I would get errors whenever I tried!

So, I started looking around - trying to see just what I had done wrong. After browsing, searching, and eventually posting in some forums, I finally had to reach out to Derik who had the solution for me - my System Environment Variable Path was not setup to use my JDK! Yeah, that went over my noob head big-time. It's basically this: my Java Compiler, Java Runtimes, etc. for all of my tools required that they work from outside of the bin directory.

Ok, I'll try to elaborate here (and I might get this off, so please - for those who might know better - feel free to correct me):

I had installed Sun's JDK5 to C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.5.0_11\. The compiler (javac), for example, is in the bin directory - C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.5.0_11\bin All of my programs that use the compiler will need to know where it is. The way this is done, instead of telling each individual application/plug-in/etc. where my bin directory is, I set the System Environment Variable to state the bin path.

Ok - so, if you're still with me... something was off, and I didn't know what it was. So, I went to the command prompt for answers!

1. I cd'ed into the bin directory: cd C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.5.0_11\bin.
2. I typed in javac and hit <enter>. This returned the syntax help -- great, the javac is working from the bin directory.
3. Now, cd\ brings me to the root of C...
4. I typed in javac and hit <enter>. This returned an error!

In order for this to work, the system needs to know where the bin directory is - and it apparently didn't! So here's what I did!

Right-click on My Computer, select Properties, which will open the System Properties Dialog. Go to the Advanced tab...

The Environment Variables button will open the... System Environment Variables Dialog. Yeah, pretty self explanatory there...

Now, on the System Environment Variables Dialog, you'll find the Path variable:

... where you'll modify/append the following: C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.5.0_11\bin; (if you installed JDK5.0.11, in the default location).

An Ok, Ok, and another Ok gets you through the Dialogs, and a quick trip back to the command prompt will let you know if you're compiler is working now:

If you get the Java Compiler syntax help when you simply enter javac from the root of C, you should be good to go!

One of my current goals is to get a better handle on Java Development. I don't know if it's just me though, but they do not make it easy for the noob/novice. It's with that in mind that I'll try to come up with a few resources for the new Java developer; some things that'll get you at least started on Java (with a RIM/Blackberry accent, due to what I've been up to recently) without having a Sun certification (which you'd think is required to get started... but more on that later).

So, we'll start off with some of the basics:

You'll need a JDK - or a Java Development Kit - as your first step. I'd recommend Sun's JDK5 - grab the downloads and have at it. I know that JDK6 is available, but a lot of the Blackberry/RIM development packages and third-party solutions are tested and confirmed working on JDK5...

First, one of the best tech books I've ever seen, let alone a Java book - Head First Java! This is a book that not only gave me a great understanding of Java as an applied technology, but also gave me a great understanding on how I should try to learn this new-to-me-technology. From the book description:

The latest research in cognitive science, neurobiology, and educational psychology shows that learning at the deeper levels takes a lot more than text on a page. Actively combining words and pictures not only helps in understanding the subject, but in remembering it. Head First Java puts these theories into practice with a vengeance. Chock full of mind stretching exercises, memorable analogies, and stories, humor and attitude that aren't just pasted-on distractions but that are used to drive home key points and make ideas come alive, the Head First approach is as effective as it is unique.

And that's not just marketing spin - it's a really great book. Now, I will say that I had received this book from the publisher, but it's a book that I would not only recommend to anyone interested in the technology (or anything the Head First crew publishes), but I would also run out to the store and buy another copy if it came to that. Awesome resource.

Pretty slick text editor for those Windows-users - that allows you to add your new Java Compiler and Runtime environment as add-on solutions. This will keep you out of the command line compiler and testing UI for your Hello World! applications. Although I wouldn't recommend staying away from the command line and staying too attached to your RAD-type third-party solutions, you really can't beat the Ctrl+1, Ctrl+2 quick-publish feel of Textpad!

That's a quick little primer to get you started, I'll go into a few gotchas that kept me out of my first few scripts as well as a few other things that can help speed things along. But more on those later...