Introduction

In this guide, we will help you set up a Java web development environment with IntelliJ IDEA on a Windows computer.

We will cover the following:

1. How to download and install IntelliJ IDEA
2. Configure the Java Development Kit (JDK) and Configure environment variables
3. Setting Up Apache Tomcat and Configure environment variables
4. Create your first Java project.

By the time you finish this guide, you’ll be all set to start building Java web applications.

Step 1: Download and Install IntelliJ IDEA

1. Go to the JetBrains Website
   • Open your web browser and navigate to https://www.jetbrains.com/idea/download/.
2. Choose Your Edition
   • Community Edition: This is free.
   • Ultimate Edition: This is a paid version (Note: this guide is based on this version)
3. Download the Installer
   • Select the “Windows” tab if it’s not already selected.
   • Click the “Download” button under your chosen edition.
4. Run the Installer
   • Locate the downloaded .exe file (usually in your “Downloads” folder).
   • Double-click the .exe file to start the installation.
   • If prompted, allow the app to make changes to your device.
5. Follow the Setup Wizard
   • Click “Next” on the welcome screen.
6. Choose Installation Options
   • Destination Folder: You can keep the default installation directory or click “Browse” to choose a different one.
   • Installation Options (Important)
     • Create Desktop Shortcut: Check this box to create a shortcut on your desktop for easy access.
     • Update context menu: Adds an “Open Folder as Project” option when you right-click on a folder, which is useful.
     • Associate file types: Associate .java files with IntelliJ IDEA, so they open in the IDE when you double-click them. It is recommended to check this option.
     • Update PATH variable (restart needed): This adds IntelliJ IDEA’s bin directory to your system PATH, allowing you to run IntelliJ IDEA commands from the command line. It’s recommended, but it might require a restart after installation.
7. Complete the Installation
   • Click “Install” to begin the installation process.
   • Wait for the installation to finish.
   • Click “Finish” once the installation is complete.
8. Launch IntelliJ IDEA
   • Double-click the IntelliJ IDEA icon on your desktop or find it in the Start menu.
   • If it’s your first time running IntelliJ IDEA, you may be prompted to import settings. Select “Do not import settings” and click OK.
   • Accept the license agreement.

Pages: 1 2 3 4 5