Setting Up Java and Writing Your First Program

In this lesson, students prepare a working Java development environment and learn what each tool does. They install or verify the Java Development Kit, confirm Java is available from the terminal, choose a beginner-friendly editor, and understand the difference between writing source code and running a compiled program.

Students then create their first Java file, write a small Hello, world! program, compile it, run it, and fix the most common setup and syntax mistakes. The goal is not to master Java syntax yet, but to leave with a working setup and a clear mental model of the edit-compile-run cycle used throughout the course.