Setting Up a Java 8 Game Development Environment - Beginning Java 8 Games Development - page 2

You will do this using the Windows program management utility Programs and
Features , which can be found in the Windows operating system (OS) Control Panel
suite of Windows OS Management Utilities . There are similar utilities on the Linux
and Mac platforms, if you happen to be using one of these less commonly used OSs.
Because most developers use Windows 7, 8, or 9, you will be using the Windows
64-bit platform for the examples in this topic.
Next, I will show you where exactly to go on the Internet to get these software
packages, so get ready to fire up your speedy Internet connection so that you can
download nearly a gigabyte of all-new game content production software! After you
download the latest versions of all this software, you will install the programming and
content development packages and configure them for use with this topic.
The order in which you perform these software installations is important, because
Java JDK 8 and Java 8 Runtime Environment (JRE) form the foundation of NetBeans
IDE 8.0. This is because NetBeans IDE 8.0 was originally coded using the Java pro-
gramming language, so you will see just how incredibly professional a piece of soft-
ware can be using this language. Thus, the Java 8 software will be the first software
you install.
After you install Java 8, you will then install NetBeans 8.0, so that you have a
graphical user interface (GUI), on top of the Java programming language, which will
make the Java software development work process easier. After you have these two
primary software development tools installed, you will get a plethora of new media
content creation software packages, which you can use in conjunction with Java 8 and
NetBeans 8.0 to create 2D and 3D games.
Prepare a Workstation for Java 8 Game
Development
Assuming that you already have a professional-level workstation in place for new me-
dia content development and game development, you need to remove all the outdated
JDKs and IDEs and make sure that you have the latest V8 (not the drink, silly!) Java
and NetBeans software installed on your system and ready to go. If you are new to this
and do not have a game-appropriate workstation, go to Walmart or Pricewatch.com,
and purchase an affordable multicore (use a 4-, 6- or 8-core) 64-bit computer running
Windows 8.1 (or 9.0 if it is available) that has 4GB, 6GB, or 8GB of DDR3 (1333 or
1600 memory access speed) system memory at the very least and a 750GB, or even
1TB, hard disk drive.