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2. Getting Started
Last updated: 27 January 2013.


Where to start?

If you are new to Java, the first step is to learn the Java SE technology. Java SE is the base technology to develop applications for desktops and servers. If your objective is to become a Java EE, Java ME or Java FX developer, knowing your way around Java SE is a prerequisite.

The Java platform is updated regularly. Each update brings enhancements, new features and bug fixes. Over the years, the naming convention has changed several times. The first version of the Java development kit (JDK) was named JDK 1.0 and was released in January 1996, followed later by the JDK 1.1. When the version 1.2 was released, the naming convention changed and the standard edition was named J2SE 1.2. The following releases were J2SE 1.3 and J2SE 1.4. The naming convention changed again when the version 1.5 was released. It was named J2SE 5.0. Finally, the following release was named Java SE 6, which was followed by Java SE 7 in 2011.


What to install?

The basic steps to make your first Java program are the following:
To write a Java program, you need a simple text editor. To compile a Java program, you need a Java development kit (JDK). To run a Java program, you need a Java runtime environment (JRE). However, since the JRE is included in the JDK, all you need to install is the latest version of the JDK.

The next tutorial will show you how to install the JDK.


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