GetJava

1.7 Updates:

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How to download Java

Note: Specific classes may override the Java version used. Hints on command shells: Start up a command shell under your operating system. (Windows: [start, run, CMD], or find Command-Prompt under accessories. MAC: Terminal Window )

Go to the JDK (Java Development Kit) Download Site.

Select your operating system. Agree to the license. Download the large install file to disk and then run it, or simply run it over the internet.

After java is installed, you have to ADD the java "bin" directory (for Binary Executable Files Directory) to your path variable. (This is the variable that Windows uses for the paths to search for software it wants to run.) This will be something like: "C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.6.0_16\bin\" if you used the standard Windows install path. Search for "Java" or "jdk" if you cannot find the bin directory.

To add the bin directory to your path, search for "How to set Windows Path Variables" on the internet. You will find many hits for Helpful Tips sites. Generally you will use:

Control Panel ("StartKey | Settings") / System / Advanced / Environment Variables / Path / Edit

Once you get to the edit box for the PATH variable, just add a semicolon to the end of the path, and add the path to your java bin directory to the end of the string after the semicolon. Warning: if you damage the existing path variable, some of your software might stop working!

Make sure that "java.exe" and "javac.exe" are in your "bin" directory. If they are somewhere else, then just make a copy of them in the "bin" directory.

To run Java, start up a command window (a shell under Linux, a terminal window on the Mac) and enter the command "java -version". If Java is correctly installed it will type back a message to you telling you what version of Java has been installed. (To run a command shell, use [start | run | then enter CMD in the box], or [start | programs | Accessories | Command Prompt].

Note that for historical political/business reasons, Java is often rather baroque in its treatment of executable paths, and class paths. So, if you are frustrated, it is probably not your fault. Search the web for the latest workarounds to the latest java nonsense.

LISP classes only: Installing LISP under Java—(435 does not use LISP)

Download the Armed Bear Common LISP jar file. (Note that you might right-click / save-as on the link to achieve this, but some browsers only save the link , not the file itself. The jar file is approximately six megabytes. Check the size.)
In the same directory where abcl jar file is saved, enter:
java -jar abcl-0.15.0.jar

You should then see (something like):

Armed Bear Common Lisp 0.12.0
Java 1.6.0_05 Sun Microsystems Inc.
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM
Low-level initialization completed in 1.262 seconds.
Startup completed in 4.556 seconds.
Type ":help" for a list of available commands.
CL-USER(1): (list 'welcome 'to 'lisp!)
(WELCOME TO LISP!)
CL-USER(2):

To test if LISP is running enter (+ 3 4) at the LISP prompt. If you get back "7" then LISP is running.