Course Setup Requirements for Java Network Programming Page 1 of 5

Course Setup Requirements

Course: Java Network Programming

Course Version: 2.0
Last updated: March 10, 2001

Hardware
Basic platform:
 Intel-based PC Workstation (Windows 95, 98 or NT) with minimum 486 33Mhz
Processor and a minimum of 32 MB memory

OR

 SUN Solaris/SPARC and a minimum of 32 MB memory.

In addition:
 TCP/IP communication among the student machines is strongly recommended to
illustrate Java’s networking capability and add realism to student workshops.
 Internet access is strongly recommended.
 Access to an HTTP server is recommended to simulate web page access. If the
students have general Internet access, this requirement is met.

Software
Here is a summary of software required for this course. Detailed instructions follow in the
sections below.
 Java 2 Standard Edition version 1.3 software and documentation.
 Student files (for labs).
 Text editor.
 Desktop shortcuts for students’ convenience.
 Instructor setup.
Course Setup Requirements for Java Network Programming Page 2 of 5

The Java 2 Standard Edition (JDK) 1.3

This course requires version 1.3 of the Java 2 Standard Edition, also known as J2SE 1.3
or JDK 1.3. It can be installed from the course CD as follows:

1. Execute the install EXE for the JDK from the Required Software\Java JDK1.3
folder the course CD. Follow the prompts to install in a suitable directory.

2. Add the bin subdirectory underneath the JDK home directory to the PATH
environment variable. For example, if you installed the JDK to c:\jdk1.3, add
c:\jdk1.3\bin to the PATH.

Testing the JDK Installation

To test a command line application, go to a command window and run the following
command exactly as written (it is case sensitive):
java java.lang.String

 If you get the message Exception in thread "main"

java.lang.NoSuchMethodError: main, everything is fine.
 If you get a message indicating that “java” is not recognized (such as Bad command
or file name), check the PATH setting to be sure that the bin directory under the JDK
installation is in the PATH.
 If you get the message Exception in thread "main"
java.lang.NoClassDefFoundError: String, there is a problem with the setting of the
CLASSPATH environment variable. Try the command again as follows:
java -classpath . java.lang.String

If this solves the problem, then delete the current CLASSPATH environment variable.
If not, contact the course vendor to further diagnose the problem.

The Java JDK 1.3 Documentation

If the student machines have Internet access, the students can browse the documentation
online.

If not, do the following:

1. Locate the ZIP file for the JDK documentation in the Required Software\JDK API
1.3 Documentation folder on the course CD.
Course Setup Requirements for Java Network Programming Page 3 of 5

2. Unzip it (preserving folders) to the home directory where the JDK was installed.

3. Move the docs subdirectory so that it is under the JDK home (e.g. c:\jdk1.3\docs).

Student Files

The student files consist of finished versions of the various labs, files needed to complete
certain labs, and various demo applications. They are provided on the course CD in the
form of a self-extracting zip file that will create a student directory and subdirectories.

Important note: If the student files from a previous session of this course are still on the
machine, they will have to be refreshed. Erase the student directory and all subdirectories
and reinstall the student files as described below.

Installing on Windows

To install the files on Windows machines:

4. Locate the student setup EXE in the Required Software\ Student Setup Files folder
on the course CD. Execute the EXE.

5. The Winzip dialog box will appear. You may enter the the desired drive and directory,
but if possible, use the default directory (c:\JavaNetwork) that is already entered for
you. Then click Unzip. The files will expand to the named directory on the chosen
drive.

6. Close the dialog box.

7. Set a CLASSPATH environment variable that includes (1) the current directory and
(2) the labs subdirectory of the student setup directory. For example, if you installed
the student files to c:\JavaNetwork, set the following value for CLASSPATH:
.;c:\JavaNetwork\labs

Installing on UNIX

The student files are formatted for Windows (DOS) platforms. Installing them on a UNIX
platform will require special handling and possibly conversion.

Text Editor

This course requires a programmer’s text editor.

Course Setup Requirements for Java Network Programming Page 4 of 5

Windows

If no other editor is already installed, install Textpad for Windows from the course CD as
follows:

Install the Editor

Locate the Textpad setup.exe in the Required Software\Textpad Software folder on the
course CD and execute it.

Apply the License

Once the editor is installed, a license must be applied to it. The license is in the file
license.txt in the same folder on the CD. To apply it:

1. Open the license text file on the CD.

2. Select the portion from BEGIN LICENSE to END LICENSE (inclusive) and copy
to the clipboard.

3. Start Textpad from the Windows Start menu. (Textpad should appear on the
Programs menu.)

4. In Textpad, choose the menu command Help | Apply License Code. Paste the
license text from the clipboard into the dialog box. Then click OK.

Associate Java files with Textpad

1. In Windows Explorer, locate any file with a .java extension (or simply create one).

2. Select the file. Right-click with the mouse while holding the shift key (shift-R-click).

3. From the popup menu, choose the command Open With.

4. In the Open With dialog box, choose Textpad. Also turn ON the Always use this
program checkbox. Then click OK.

5. To test the association, in Windows Explorer, double-click any .java file. You should
see the file open in Textpad.

UNIX

Students can use VI, which is well known and usually available. However, many students
are not comfortable with VI, so an alternative should be available as well.
Course Setup Requirements for Java Network Programming Page 5 of 5

Desktop Shortcuts

Create a folder named XML Course on the desktop. In it, put shortcuts to the following
files. Give the shortcuts the names shown below:

Shortcut Name File Starting location

J2SE API index.HTML J2SE installation\docs\api

Labs Command Prompt student files directory\labs

Instructor Setup

The instructor will be presenting the course in the form of Adobe Acrobat (PDF) files, as
well as demonstrations of the labs and other applications and displays of documentation
screens. This requires:
 An instructor workstation with the same setup as for the students.
 Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on the instructor workstation. It is available in the
Required Software\ Adobe Acrobat Reader folder on the course CD.
 A projector connected to the instructor workstation.