So you've got the JDK installed, you've tested to make sure that your computer knows where it is, and you're itching to get started. (If not, go back to the previous page and follow the setup procedures.) Very well then, let's get on with the show!

Programming Options

Java provides you with two basic options when writing programs. You can write applets, which run inside another program (usually your browser), or you can write applications, which are stand-alone programs that you can run right from your computer. (Servlets and Java Server Pages fall somewhere in between, but we won't discuss those here. You've got to learn your basics first.)

Java Applets

You are probably most familiar with applets, as most current browsers are Java-enabled, Netscape Navigator and Internet Explorer included. Below is a simple applet called a pool applet. It's simple to use that is, not simple to create. If your browser is Java-enabled, you will be able to play with it. Try moving your mouse over it. It's used for special effects.

Java Applications

An application, on the other hand, is more like a regular program you would run on your computer, like a word processor or Solitaire. The simplest of applications runs in a command-line environment like MS-Dos, but you can make full-fledged graphical, windows-based programs using Java -- once you learn the ropes.