BlackBerry Java Application : installing the Java Development Kit (JDK), downloading Eclipse with the JDE plugin

Time for action - installing the Java Development Kit (JDK)

1. The installation starts off with the End User License Agreement for the Java Development Kit. If you enjoy reading legalese, feel free to read through it, but if you are like most people, just click on the Accept button and go on.

2. The next screen shows several components that could be installed. All of the components are enabled by default, but you really need only the public JRE and the Development Tools. The Source Code can help with debugging at times, but in all honesty you probably won't ever use it. Demos and Samples can be helpful for understanding Java in general, but won't have any of the BlackBerry-specific topics in it. The Java DB definitely won't be used on any BlackBerry applications.

   

3. After this, the setup program does a lot of work before stopping at another screen asking where to put the install files. I recommend accepting the defaults.

   

4. This package is also installing the JRE, which does integrate with browsers, so you might get a warning screen if you have the browser window still open from where you downloaded the JDK. If this is the case, exit this, or any other applications listed, and continue with the setup. If you check the checkbox, the setup program will shut the applications down for you.

5. From this point on, the installer does its thing and finishes the install. Look Microsoft, no reboot required!

What just happened?

In this step we installed the Java Development Kit (JDK). The JDK is used for all Java development, but an essential part of the BlackBerry development environment includes the Java compiler. This particular package that we picked will also install the Java Runtime Edition (JRE). The JRE is required to run any Java application and includes the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), or runtime engine.

Introducing the BlackBerry Developer Zone

Before getting focused on creating applications, I think it's wise to present the official source for information, support, downloads, and forums for BlackBerry-the BlackBerry Developer Zone at http://www.blackberrydeveloper.com. Here you can find the official documentation, a knowledge base full of great articles, support forums, and much more. Specifically, here are some great resources to go for more information in the future:

• BlackBerry developer documentation: The official source for documentation-http://na.blackberry.com/eng/support/docs/developers/?userType=21.

• Tool and SDK downloads: The place to start getting the tools needed to develop applications-http://na.blackberry.com/eng/developers/resources/devtools.jsp.

• Developer knowledge base: An impressive collection of articles addressing specific issues, problems and situations-http://www.blackberry.com/knowledgecenterpublic/livelink.exe/fetch/2000/348583/customview.html?func=ll&objId=348583.

• Developer forums: Can't find an answer anywhere else? Ask the question here-http://supportforums.blackberry.com/rim/?category.id=BlackBerryDevelopment.

You will need to register for the BlackBerry Developer Community in order to download any of the tools, SDK, simulators, or in some cases, documentation. So, let's head over to https://www.blackberry.com/CorpDevZone/register.do and get that done. Registration is free.

The registration process is typical and straightforward. The e-mail address you give on this page will serve as your login ID at the website from this point forward. After supplying the information on the registration page, the system will send an e-mail to the e-mail address given with a link that you must click on to activate your account.

The e-mail should arrive quickly, and once you click on the link to activate your account you're ready to actually download the files and get started!

Downloading and installing Eclipse

Now that you've got Java installed, let's start installing Eclipse! There are two different ways to install the software. You can download Eclipse directly from the Eclipse website at http://www.eclipse.org/downloads/packages/release/ganymede/sr2 or you can download a version from the BlackBerry Developer Zone, which is already pre-bundled with the BlackBerry JDE component plugin. You can download it from http://na.blackberry.com/eng/developers/javaappdev/javaeclipseplug.jsp.

I recommend using the pre-bundled version of Eclipse. This pre-bundled version includes version 4.5 of the SDK, but more importantly it is much easier to install than installing Eclipse and the component pack separately.

Time for action - downloading Eclipse with the JDE plugin

1. On the BlackBerry website the pre-bundled version is called the Full Installer and has a large Download Now button, as shown in the following screenshot. Click on the Download Now button to get started.

   

2. When you click on the Download Now button, you will be shown another registration page. I know you already filled out all of that information, but you have to do it again, and again, and again. It's rather annoying really. Be sure to change the radio button at the bottom confirming that you are not lying to them because it defaults to No and won't proceed until changed to Yes.

   

3. Next, you will find one or two license agreements that you must accept (depends on which version you download). After all that, you can finally download the setup file.

What just happened?

The Eclipse Full Installer includes both the BlackBerry 4.5 components as well as the Eclipse installation already integrated together. We chose to install the Full Installer.

Notice that you can download just the individual component package for each version of the BlackBerry SDK from here as well. You don't need to install Eclipse over and over for each different version of the SDK. Instead, you can download just the component pack for only that version and add the component pack to your Eclipse installation.

There is a way to download and install the component packs directly within Eclipse (which I think is easier), but we will do that later.