I use netbeans too. When I am writing files, I just copy the code onto notepad and then put it on my zip drive, then when I get to the computer that I am going to use I just open up the notepad and copy the code then copy it back into netbeans. I guess it's a little complicated, but it works.

Sigh, more IDE idiocy...
And what do you do when you don't have netbeans?

Maybe you should learn to use the compiler and runtime, but of course that would mean you'd learn something and we can't have that, now can we?

Hey thanks Richard. U seem 2 no what you are on about. If you don't mind explaining to me from the start how to use java from the command line. I've never used it b4.

I guess you could say I'm:-

So yes,I don't know how to change the directory or how to compile and run in the command line either. So you'll have to go through that with me if you don't mind. I appreciate all the help.

To jwenting...
I prob sound stupid but we all have to start somewhere don't we? And ur right about the pitfalls associated with fancy IDEs.

:o

It's all explained in your compiler documentation and the documentation for your operating system.

It's so basic in fact that you shouldn't consider programming anything until you can use the commandline comfortably.

Iamthwee,

Netbeans uses the Apache Ant build tool to do it's compilation. The Ant build.xml file Netbeans uses should create a jar in a directory called 'dist' under the project folder.

As you know the pitfalls of using an IDE I would really recommend learning Ant. OK so it is not going right down to the command line (which is preferable) but it is a step in the right direction and will free you from the Netbeans IDE.

Apache Ant home page:

http://ant.apache.org/

The Ant Manual:

http://ant.apache.org/manual/index.html

Have fun.

Kate

As I was editing an Ant build.xml file today at work it occurred to me that although it seems easy enough, it might in fact be more difficult for a beginner to get to grips with Ant then the standard Java toolset (javac, java, jar etc ...). To that end, Iamthwee, please see below a link to the Java tools documentation.

http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.5.0/docs/tooldocs/#basic

This page will give you all the information you need to work with Java at the command line.

Kate

Yes, ANT is rather complicated. The authors have by now realised that using an XML based buildfile was probably not a good idea but of course it's far too late to change it.

The commandline tools are easy to use if you take a few minutes to RTFM.

First of all, tank u for everyone who has helped me.

I intend to try and get this working at the command line.
So i will have 2 read up on thsis. When i do and if i have questions i will ask.

God bless