Working From Home
We use Java 8 and Eclipse 4.4 for Java Developers Integrated Development Environment (aka: Eclipse IDE, or simply Eclipse) for writing, compiling and testing Java programs in CS 302 (and subsequent CS courses). Both Eclipse and Java are available for FREE and have versions for all popular computing platforms (e.g., Windows, Mac, Linux).
If you choose to install Eclipse and Java, you are agreeing to be responsible for backing up your own work! Losing your work because your computer crashes or having trouble with your computer are not acceptable excuses for not getting an assignment done on time. You'll also need to be responsible for correctly installing and configuring this software. The vast majority of students do not have problems with this, but we make no guarantee that all students will be able to do so.
If you're not confident about downloading, installing and configuring software then you might try to get help from a friend or a classmate. If you are having problems with your computer, you can always complete your course work using a lab computer instead.
The CS department provides instructional lab computers with Eclipse and Java 8 installed for students to do their course work. Doing work on a lab computer has the benefit that your work is automatically backed up each night.
Installing Eclipse
You can download Eclipse 4.4 from the Eclipse website. Move the downloaded file to your install location (likely Program Files on Windows and Applications on Mac), and double-click to extract all files to a folder in the current directory. Launch the Eclipse program.
You may want to verify that Eclipse is working by doing the Eclipse tutorial again.
NOTE: You may also need to install Java. You can download Java the Oracle website. You will also need the Java Runtime Environment, here. Double-click the downloaded each file to run the installer. Once these are installed, launch Eclipse. In Preferences > Java > Installed JREs, click "Add" to add the Java 8 JRE that you just downloaded. The JRE is probably located in /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk1.8.0_45.jdk/Contents/Home.
Working On A CS Lab Machine At Home
It is also possible to remotely connect to a CS lab machine from home (or another location). Here are two resources provided by the Computer Systems Lab (CSL):
Adapted from http://pages.cs.wisc.edu/~cs302/?r=atHome