Install Java, Python and C

Step 1 — Download & Install the JDK

The JDK (Java Development Kit) contains everything you need to write and run Java.

• Go to oracle.com/java/technologies/downloads

• Download JDK 17 (LTS — stable, widely used)
• Run the installer with default settings
• Note your install path (e.g. C:\Program Files\Java\jdk-17)

Step 2 — Download & Install NetBeans IDE

NetBeans is the IDE used in COS 211 / 221 labs. It has a drag-and-drop GUI designer you will use later.

• Go to netbeans.apache.org/front/main/download

• Download the latest Apache NetBeans
• During install, it auto-detects your JDK
• Complete with default settings

Step 3 — Verify Your Setup

Confirm everything works by running your first program.

• Open NetBeans
• File → New Project → Java Application
• Name it "HelloWorld"
• Add the print line below to main()
• Press F6 to run
• See "Hello, World!" in the Output panel

public class HelloWorld {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        System.out.println("Hello, World!");
    }
}

Step 1 — Download & Install Anaconda

Anaconda is a free Python distribution. It ships with JupyterLab, Jupyter Notebook, and ~250 scientific packages pre-installed. ~700 MB download.

• Go to anaconda.com/download

• Pick the installer for your OS (Windows / macOS / Linux)
• Choose the 64-bit Python 3.x graphical installer
• Run the installer with default settings
• On Windows, leave "Register Anaconda as my default Python" checked
• Skip the "Add to PATH" option — Anaconda warns against it; use Anaconda Prompt instead

Step 2 — Launch JupyterLab

JupyterLab is the modern notebook interface. You can also use the classic Jupyter Notebook — both come with Anaconda.

• Open Anaconda Navigator from your Start menu / Applications
• On the Home tab, find the JupyterLab tile and click Launch
• JupyterLab opens in your browser at http://localhost:8888
• Alternative: open Anaconda Prompt and run the command below

# From Anaconda Prompt (Windows) or Terminal (mac/Linux)
jupyter lab

# Classic notebook interface (also works):
jupyter notebook

Step 3 — Verify Your Setup

Create your first notebook and run a cell.

• In JupyterLab, click File → New → Notebook
• Pick the "Python 3" kernel
• Type the code below into the first cell
• Press Shift + Enter to run it
• See the output appear right below the cell

name = "Arete"
print(f"Hello from {name}!")
print(2 + 2)

Step 1 — Install GCC (the compiler)

GCC turns your .c files into runnable programs.

• Windows: MSYS2 (recommended) — msys2.org

• Windows: download and run the MSYS2 installer, then open "MSYS2 MSYS" and run: pacman -S mingw-w64-ucrt-x86_64-gcc
• Windows: add C:\msys64\ucrt64\bin to your PATH (System Properties → Environment Variables)
• macOS: open Terminal and run: xcode-select --install
• Linux (Ubuntu/Debian): sudo apt update && sudo apt install build-essential
• Open a new terminal and run gcc --version to confirm

# After install, this should print a version (not "not found"):
gcc --version

Step 2 — Add C/C++ support to NetBeans

If you've already set up Java, you have NetBeans. Now add the C/C++ plugin so NetBeans can build C projects.

• Open NetBeans → Tools → Plugins
• Switch to the "Available Plugins" tab and click "Check for Newest"
• Search for "C/C++" and install the C/C++ plugin (accept the license, restart when prompted)
• After restart: Tools → Options → C/C++ → Build Tools
• Add a Tool Collection — point Base Directory to your gcc folder (e.g. C:\msys64\ucrt64\bin)
• Click "Set as Default" so new C projects use it

Step 3 — Verify Your Setup

Write, compile, and run your first C program inside NetBeans.

• File → New Project → C/C++ → C/C++ Application
• Name it "HelloC" and finish the wizard
• Open main.c and replace its contents with the code below
• Right-click the project → Run (or press F6)
• See "Hello, World!" in the Output panel

#include <stdio.h>

int main(void) {
    printf("Hello, World!\n");
    return 0;
}