Getting the Java Platform

Additional details on how to see if your computer has Java installed, and where to get Java versions for older computers:

Your computer may already have Java installed. Any version above 1.4 will work easily for JRG. Prior versions back to 1.1 can be made to work, if you have an older computer.
- On Windows 95 or 98, open a DOS Window from the Start menu, and type ``java -version'' and hit return. You probably don't have it.
- On Windows NT, 2000, or XP, open a Command Prompt Window from Start->Programs->Accessories, and type ``java -version'' and hit return. NT and 2000 should have it, XP may not.
- On MacOS 7.6.1 through 9.2, use a Finder or Sherlock search for JBindery. You probably don't have it.
- On MacOS X, find the Terminal application in the Utilities subfolder of the Applications folder. Start that, and type into it ``java -version'' and hit return. You should have it already.
- On a Sun, in Linux or another UNIX, open a Command Window or cmdtool and type ``java -version'' and hit return. You should have it already.
If you have Windows, go to java.sun.com/getjava to download the Java 2 Standard Edition (J2SE) for your computer. The J2SE includes the Java Runtime Environment (JRE), which is the piece you want. The SDK is the Software Developers' Kit (a.k.a. JDK), which you won't need for this class.
- The latest version downloadable from Sun Microsystems is fine if you have Windows NT, 2000, or XP, Linux, or Solaris - get it from http://java.sun.com/getjava/.
- Download J2SE 1.2.2 from this link if you have Windows 95 or 98.
MS-Windows 95, 98, and NT users can download the Windows Java Runtime Environment (JRE) 1.2 installation package from the instructor at this link (5.3 Mbytes).
If you have a Mac with OS X, use Software Update to make sure you have the current Java runtime system from Apple (you should not need any of the Developer tools for these labs). The instructor has a download Java package for MacOS 8 and 9 available through this link (16.4 Mbytes).
To run Java applications on Seismology Sun machines, please consult these brief instructions.
For other computers, please go to http://java.sun.com/getjava/ to investigate the Java versions available. You need an environment for Java stand-alone applications (not applets) equivalent to Sun's JDK 1.1.3 or better.

After you have installed Java on your computer, you may need to familiarize yourself with how to run Java stand-alone applications using the java or JBindery commands on your computer. Also, figure out how to unpack a Java Archive (JAR) file using the jar command.