Using JCreator for CS101-CS102 Assignments

Whilst it is possible to use a simple text editor, such as NotePad, to create and edit your Java programs, and then compile and execute them from the Command Prompt, using an IDE (Integrated Development Environment), like JCreator,  makes the process much easier. Using an IDE and learning to organise your work properly right from the beginning will help you become more proficient and save you a lot of time and hassle as your projects get more and more sophisticated.

Initial Setup of & learning to use JCreator in BCC Labs

If you have not already done so, follow these instructions to set up a default folder structure on your H: drive

Next, to become familiar with the process of creating, compiling, executing & debugging Java programs using JCreator,
carefully follow this Using a Java IDE assignment sheet (which contains Lab02 parts a & b).
Important--do this JCreator Once Only Setup when instructed in to do so in the assignment sheet.

Installing Java & JCreator on your own computer

Note: JCreator is only available for Microsoft Windows.
If you use a Mac or Linux machine, please check the course FAQ for possible solutions.

• Before installing JCreator, make sure you first install the latest JDK (Java Development Kit) -currently JDK7- and its API documentation. These are freely available from the downloads page of java.sun.com (you need the "JDK 7 Update..." & "Java SE 7 Documentation" downloads). These are quite large files! Be sure to carefully follow the installation instructions for the documentation package.
   
  
• Having installed the JDK, it is time to install JCreator, the IDE we will use to write Java programs. The 4.50 LE (or 5.00 LE) version of this program is freely available from http://www.jcreator.com so you can download and install it on your own machines. It should automatically find the JDK installed in the previous step, so simply accept all the installation defaults. If there is a problem when you run JCreator, check the Configuration|Options-Directories.
  
  
• You will probably also want the CS101 Console Application - Template_5 which should be extracted to wherever you installed JCreator (by default C:\Program Files\Xinox Software\JCreatorVxLE\Templates)
  
  
• Follow the settings described in these JCreator Once Only Setup instructions.

Note: For anyone still using JCreator v3.5, here is older v3.5 Template_5