Frustrated Trying to run an applet

Question

I'm trying to learn applet programming. I come from MS Visual Studio (C++,C#, vb) and I'm very frustrated in finding a simple programming environment in which I can just type code and run it.
Everything I've downloaded from Sun has given me troubles... So far:
--Studio 8.1 won't let me open a project (asks for an ANT path, whatever that is)
--Eclipse throws up a dialog box that asks for a million settings
--JAVA Studio Creator 2 warns that "neither has a main method nor it is a servlet specified in web.xml."
--NetBean keeps erasing the file that I'm working on... "can't find file..."
Am I missing something? Does anybody have any advice as to WHAT to install? The Sun site seems like an endless path of white papers that could easily consume a week before you found something that applied. I would like to avoid compiling from a console. Sorry, after using Visual Studio, ColdFusion Studio and Flash etc, I don't see why this is necessary.
I've read a few books on JAVA and understand the language pretty good.
Can anyone recommend a source that:
1. Shows how to compile a java file in an ide that runs on WindowsXP?
2. A simple book? I have an ancient copy of Sam's: How to program JAVA in 21day and love it. But NetBeans errors on depreciated code.
Thanks,
Very Frustrated

Answer 1

Go with the previous advice. Use a simple text editor and a Command line. Instructions for using the command line:
Create a new folder on your desktop or My Documents and label it something like "Java Programs".
next download the JDK pakage from Sun and install it (when you install it note where it is installed to).
(for XP) go to the Start menu. right click on My Computer. go to properties. Click on the Advanced tab. Click the Advanced tab. Click Environment Variables. In the lower menu find the "Path" variable and at the very end type in ; then the file path to the "bin" folder of your Java Development Kit. Don't modify anything else.
Go to the "CLASSPATH" variable (note - if you haven't installed the JDK yet you won't have one of these). Click on it and and go to the very end. Type in ; and then the file path to your "Java Programs" folder. Again don't modify anything else.
To run your programs from the command line you must type in CD (for Change Directory) and then the file path to your "Java Programs" folder. To make this easier you can download an addon from microsoft that will let you right click on the folder and choose "Open Command Window Here". It would be under powertoys for windows I think. After you have changed the directory type in "javac 'your program'". But wait you must write the program first. after writing your program name it and put the file extension ".java" after the name.
(note when you use "javac" (java Compiler) you must put the file extension after "your program"). After it is compiled you will have a new file in the "Java Programs" folder with a ".class" extension after it's name. To run this program go to the command line and type "java 'your program'" only this time leave the extension out then the debugging starts (you will get lots of practice in this). If you have any questions e-mail me at [email protected]