Linux java development??

[cme]

I am just starting to learn Java. I know C++ and have programmed school C++ projects on Unix before.

Is there a good tool for developing Java applications in Linux? I don't really understand the conventions [file names, syntax, etc...] yet, so I need something that will allow me to learn good habits. Sample code? Good help files?

Thanks in advance for your time...

[mattmorrow]

There are more and more Java-specific Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) becoming available for Linux - search on AltaVista Advanced Search for "Linux AND software AND Development AND tools AND IDE". Also, many of the C/C++ IDEs work with Java as well.

I'd recommend installing the Java SDK and doing it at the command line (javac, java), using your editor of choice to edit the source. Once comfortable with the basics, then search out a good IDE.

[This message has been edited by mattmorrow (edited 08 January 2001).]

[klamath]

I write a fair amount of Java in Linux. I use vim - although Emacs + JDE is also good.

Do you want to use an IDE? I'd strongly suggest against it - you should learn the actual language.

Get a copy of the Java 1.3.0 JDK for Linux from java.sun.com - or you can use IBM's JDK (which I use mostly - IMHO, it's much better). You should also try IBM's "jikes" Java compiler - it's much faster than Javac. You could look into using gdb as your interactive debugger - it supports Java. Check out the "Ant" buildtool from Jakarta (http://jakarta.apache.org). It's like make, only better - written in Java, much simpler, and XML-based.

Tell me if there's anything else you need. That's the basic setup I use (all from inside of "powershell" - look for it on freshmeat).

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[scott_R]

I use IBM's JDK as well. It installs in the /opt directory, and comes with some decent documentation as well. One complaint that I do have though, is that their tutorial page needs some serious updating.

As far as learning goes, I've had pretty good luck with sybex's series of books. Although not perfect, they seem to check their work, unlike a lot of publishers that never seem to update or spell check their beginners programs. Now that I know more, I can fix mistakes, but when you're not even sure of the conventions of how everything is put together, this can be frustrating enough to quit.

Once you get past the basics however, and have a decent idea how things work, there are all sorts of web pages that can help you learn.

Good luck! http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ubb/smile.gif

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