The lessons in this trail
show you the simplest possible Java programs
and tell you how to compile and run them.
They then go on to explain the programs,
giving you the background knowledge
you need to understand how they work.
Before you can compile a program,
you need to have a Java compiler.
The Java Development Kit (JDK)
provides a compiler you can use.
The JDK also provides an interpreter
you can use to run Java applications.
To run Java applets,
you can use the JDK Applet Viewer
or any Java-compatible Web browser,
such as the HotJava browser.
The "Hello World" Application
is where you should start
if you're interested in writing a standalone application --
a Java program that executes independently of any browser.
This lesson also introduces some concepts
that will help you understand any Java program:
how to define a Java class
and how to use supporting classes and objects.
The "Hello World" Applet
is the place to start
if you want to write an applet --
a Java program to be included in HTML pages
and executed in a Java-compatible browser.
Common Compiler and Interpreter Problems (and Their Solutions)
discusses fixes to some common problems that prevent people
from successfully compiling and running their first Java programs.
