[prog] Java Confusions!

[Cindy Wong]

Noir wrote:

> I have spent about an hour at [http://java.sun.com/linux/] & now I am 
> really perplexed.
> 
> I want to write simple Java codes & do network level programming using 
> Java & am wondering what to download.
> 
> Seems like there are 3 options: J2SE, J2EE & J2SDK.
> 
> Can anyone point me to the right direction?

FYI, there's also J2ME.  ;)

The three flavours of Java:

* J2SE - The basis of all things Java.  If you're trying to write or run
   desktop applications or applets, this is the flavour for you.
* J2EE - Think of it as the enterprise extension of regular Java,
   because it cannot exists on its own and requires J2SE installed.
   You'll need it if you're writing/running Servlets, EJB or JSP.  If you
   have no idea what these are, then you don't need it. =)
* J2ME - This is more like a stripped down version of J2SE, intended for
   mobile devices and devices with small computing power and resources.
   Again, if you don't know, then you don't need it. =)

Since you're not doing anything in the enterprise level or for mobile, 
J2SE is the flavour you're looking for.

Now the flavour part is settled, you're left with two choices: the J2SE 
runtime (aka JRE) or J2SE SDK (aka J2SDK).

* JRE - contains all the required components for *running* J2SE
   programs.  Most desktop systems already have one version of JRE or
   another installed, because it is required to view those annoying
   animated Java applet banners in your browser. =)  JRE, however, does
   not come with any tools for authoring Java programs.
* J2SDK - contains all things included in JRE, plus the applications
   required to compile Java source into bytecode (i.e., the runnable
   Java programs).

Now since you're trying to do some Java programming, you should get the 
J2SDK.

You may also want to try a Java IDE.  Currently there are three free 
Java IDEs that are worth trying:

* Borland JBuilder Personal Edition is a free (beer) IDE.  It does not
   contain any J2EE support, but that's not your concern now so it's OK.
   I particularly like the drag and drop GUI builder.  You can download
   it from Borland (http://www.borland.com/).
* Eclipse is an IBM-backed open source IDE.  It is supposed to be the
   successor for VisualAge.  It's more resource-intensive than JBuilder,
   but more flexible and supports more (programming) languages through
   the use of plug-ins.  The built-in CVS support is particularly useful.
   Get it at http://www.eclipse.org/
* NetBeans is a Sun-backed open source IDE.  The basis of Sun ONE
   Studio.  I tried it quite some time ago and I remember choosing
   Eclipse over NetBeans, but the reasons have already been forgotten. ;)
   It's available at http://www.netbeans.org/

My $0.02

Cindy