CSC104 — Java resources

Computing Disciplines Facilities (CDF)

As a CS student you have access to the CDF computer labs. If there are any problems with your CDF account you should contact the CDF Systems Administrator (admin@cdf.toronto.edu).

Textbooks

There is no required textbook for this course. Since you have some experience with programming, many of you with Java, if you need a textbook you should find one that fits your style of learning. Given how quickly computing changes, evaluating new books is a valuable skill to develop!

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Online Guidance

The API (Application Programming Interface: the standard libraries).

Sun Microsystems developed Java and they have a language tutorial.

If you have a C++ background the following outline with C++ comparisons might be helpful.

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Java Development Kit

Version 1.5 (aka version 5) is installed on CDF, and we might use some of the new features of 1.5.

To work at home you'll need a Java Development Kit (JDK). For Linux, Solaris and Windows you can get it from Sun. You must get the JDK (Software Development Kit), not the JRE. You do not need the source code. Documentation for all platforms is also downloadable there.

If you already have Java installed just for running some programs but not for developing programs, then you probably have only the JRE and not the full JDK; you'll need to get the JDK.

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Development Environments

Two common Java development environments ("front-ends" to the Java Development Kit) used in our courses are DrJava in first-year courses and Eclipse in later-year courses.

You may use the Java development environment of your choice to develop solutions to the assignments, but keep in in mind you must submit only the "raw" Java source files you write and they must not rely on any files or code supplied by your environment.

DrJava

DrJava is freely available. Version drjava-stable-20050814-2234 is installed on CDF and easily accessible from various icons and menus there.

Eclipse

Eclipse is also freely available. Version 3.1 is installed on CDF. You can access it by typing eclipse at a command line, or through the CDF menus.

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