Computer Help Blog

To program in Java, you need a "java compiler", a program to convert Java source code to bytecode. In the old days, the only option was Sun’s Java Development Kit; but now you have many options, including the GNU project’s gcj which creates class files or native executables, and jikes, IBM’s open source contribution. You also will need a Java virtual machine, which is a "machine within a machine" which understands Java bytecodes and translates them into machine language on the target processor. There are many available, but you can never go wrong with the javac compiler and java JRE virtual machine included with Sun’s Java standard edition.

1) Visit Sun’s J2SE page and download the correct package for your platform: typically Windows, Linux, or Solaris. Macintosh users will find they already have the J2SE installed. For maximum portability, it may be better to get an older edition; not all your potential users will have the latest JVM installed. Alternatively, use an open-source or other third-party compiler such as gcj or jikes, and compile to a native executable or run it with the Java JRE.

2) Learn to use a "clean" editor like Notepad++, Vim, or Emacs. These don’t taint your program source with formatting information, as does Microsoft Word. Whatever editor you use, it must have the option to save as "plain text".

3) Learn the basic edit-compile-test cycle:  

1. Create or edit the program source file(s).
2. Compile to .class files.
3. Run the program with the java executable, or as an applet in a browser. If the functionality isn’t correct, or you want to add more features, start again at step 1.

4) If you can afford it, buy a good book about Java programming and carefully read the beginning. With this language, the beginning is more difficult than later steps.

5) If you face any problems, always try a web search. There are a lot of good articles about Java on the web.

6) Don’t reinvent the wheel. Java was always about reusing open-source libraries. If you need something that is not very uncommon there’s usually a lib that helps you.

More information:

• Core java tutorials
• Advanced java tutorials

So you want to protect your computer from viruses, spyware and other malware? Are you spending countless hours on Internet searching for the best computer security software? If yes, here are some tips to find the best computer security software to keep your computer safe and secure and protect your online privacy…

You cannot obtain complete security by using a single software application. That is you will need three kinds of software — antivirus scanner, spyware removal tool and firewall software. Many antivirus scanners do not detect Trojan horses. For this reason, you can also install a Trojan removal software on your computer. Firewall software will protect your computer from hacking attempts from the Internet. If you install all of these four applications computer, your computer will be very secure. However, installing the software can also make your computer very slow. For this reason, it is essential that you strike a balance between security and speed.

Always stick to well-known antivirus software. The same goes for spyware removal tools as well. There are many fake antivirus and spyware removal tools on the Internet. In fact, many of these contain viruses themselves and the design only to force you to purchase the so-called "full versions". Some of the leading antivirus software in the market include Norton, Kaspersky, Avira and others. Before installing any software from the Internet, always ensure that you are installing the real software and not some fake one. Also read software reviews and user feedback before installing new antivirus software on your computer.

If you think that investing in security software is not a good idea, there are other alternatives. You can use the antivirus software on their computer. There are several free antivirus software on the Internet and these are equally effective in providing security to the computer. When compared to paid versions, these may lag behind in some aspects. However, they are better option than leaving your computer without an antivirus software installed. There are also several open source antivirus projects. ClamWin is one such project.

Several free spyware removal tools are also available on Internet. These include Spyware Terminator, Spy bot — search and destroy and Ad Aware SE. You can download these tools by searching in Google for the names. Alternatively, you can also download these from download.com.