Introduction to Programming in Java
This page extends on the previous resource to delve deeper into Java itself, relating its use to its history.
4. Installing the Java Development Kit
4.1. Downloading and Installing
To download the JDK, go to http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/index.html. Click on "JDK with NetBeans Bundle". Follow the instructions for downloading the JDK installation file.
Windows: If you are running Windows, simply run the executable file and follow the installation instructions.
Unix, Solaris, or Linux: For Linux and Unix, download the "jdk1 6.0" for Linux systems. Save the downloaded file in any drive. Once you have saved the file, extract it to a place that you can remember, by using Terminal or by double clicking on the file. When you have finished extracting the file, copy the JDK 1.6.0 folder and paste it in the usr/local (To paste to the usr/local directory, you have to be in root) so that every user can use the java files. You can delete the downloaded zip file so that it doesn't take up space on your drive.
Macintosh: The latest available JDK is automatically installed by the operating system. Because Java for Macintosh is developed and maintained by Apple, in coordination with Sun, the current version on the Macintosh may not be the current version that is available from Sun.