Setting up Java and IntelliJ
Contents
Introduction
This page will guide you through setting up an environment to program in Java using the IntelliJ IDE. Both of these are available cross platform, but the setup is a little different on each platform. Below are instructions for Windows and OSX. If you use Linux, try following the steps below, but let me know if you run into trouble.
(Back to top)Java
We are using Oracle's Java SDK 1.8. Quickly, it's important that you download the SDK (Standard edition Development Kit) and not the JRE (Java Runtime Environment)—the latter is only to run Java, not to build Java applications.
To download, visit this page, accept the license agreement, and then select the link next to your distribution in the first list of downloads. E.g., for Mac OSX, I would select jdk-8u25-macosx-x64.dmg. Once that downloads, follow all of the instructions in the installer.
For OSX, you also have to download Java 1.6—this is in addition to 1.8. This is because IntelliJ (see below) requires Java 1.6 to run on OSX.
(Back to top)IntelliJ
IntelliJ IDEA is an integrated development environment (IDE). If you've used Eclipse, NetBeans, or VisualStudio, this is similar. IDEs are helpful for project management and offer lots of useful tools, such as code completion, auto compilation, and easy refactoring options. IntelliJ also has a nice GUI builder, which is one of the reasons we'll be using it.
There are two versions—Community Edition (what's installed on the lab machines) and Unlimited Edition. As a student, you can get the Unlimited Edition for free (at least while you're a student). To get it, you first need to register with JetBrains (the company behind IntelliJ)—make sure you use your Endicott email address. They should send you an email fairly quickly and then you can register an account with them&mdahs;you'll need the username and password you select when running IntelliJ for the first time, so be sure to remember them.
To download, click here and make sure your operating system is selected. Click the Ultimate Edition download button on the left side of the page. After downloading, following the installation instructions.
A series of screens will ask you for defaults. You can either skip these or pick what you want.
Once installed, open IntelliJ IDEA. You'll be prompted with a window asking to import settings—select the option to not import anything. The next window will ask you if you have bought IntelliJ. Select the right-most option (JetBrains Account). Enter the credentials you used to register for your account.
and click the option to "Create New Project". This will bring you to a startup wizard. The first window of the wizard will have a drop down box at the top labeled: "Project SDK"; by default, this will be blank or say "None". Click the "New" button to the right and select "JDK". You should see something similar to "1.8 (Java version '1.8.0_...')" show up in the drop down box to the left of the "New" button. You shouldn't need to do this in the future when creating new projects—the first time is enough.
Click "Next". Skip the next window asking about setting up a command line interface, so hit "Next" again. Now you can name your project. Come up with a name (e.g., "CSC261-Projects"). Click "Finish" and you are all set.
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