# Installation Questions

This section deals with installing jEdit using the Java-based installation program, as well as installation issues that are specific to particular operating systems.

General installation questions

What is the easiest way to install jEdit?

First, make sure you have a working installation of the Java platform. To run jEdit, you will a platform package having a version number of at least 1.5.0_06. If you do not have the Java platform, we recommend downloading the larger Software Development Kit (SDK), instead of the smaller Java Runtime Environment (JRE), because you will need the tools supplied with the SDK if you will be using Java for development. You will need to know the path of the Java application launcher, which is called `java.exe` on Windows systems and simply `java` on others.

Next, decide whether you want the current stable version or the latest development version. As a general rule, the stable version is a good choice for first-time users. However, jEdit 4.3pre7 has been in development for a couple of years now, and it is definitely "stable" enough for beginners. Download the Java installer for the version you have chosen from the jEdit web site; it consists of a single file with a name in the style `jeditXXXinstall.jar`. This file is a compressed archive containing all of the files you need for jEdit to run as well as an installer application written in Java. You can put this file anywhere on your hard disk that is convenient.

To run the installer, do whatever you normally do to run a Java jar archive. If this is your first time, follow these steps:

- Open a terminal or command interpreter window.

- Change the current directory to the directory in which you have stored the jEdit installer file.

- Run this command: `[full path to java application launcher] -jar jeditXXXinstall.jar`

The installer will load and display a series of dialogs for selecting a few simple options, including the directory in which you wish jEdit installed. It will also tell you how much disk space you need for the main program and various installation options.

If this is your first download of jEdit, you should definitely install the set of macros that come with the application. Many of them are useful for all programmers, and even the ones you don't use can serve as models when you eventually begin writing your own macros.

The installation process is very short. If you are installing the program on Windows and you select the jEditLauncher option, you should be able to start jEdit by clicking on any of the icons that the installation program provides. On other systems, you can enter `jedit` in a terminal window or create your own desktop or menu shortcut.

Why is there no Java Web Start version of jEdit?

In Java Web Start, dynamically-loaded classes (ie, plugins) run in a sandbox unless they are explicitly signed. Also, the protocol handler API prevents protocol handlers from being added if they are not loaded via the system class loader (i.e via the Java Web Start class loader). So the lack of plugin support and jeditresource protocol makes it useless.

How do I upgrade from one release of jEdit to another?

Simply delete the existing jEdit directory and run the installer (if any) to install the new version. Settings are kept in `~/.jedit`, and will not be affected.

Installing jEdit on MacOS

How do I install jEdit on MacOS 8 or MacOS 9? s

The latest version of jEdit, version 4.3, requires MacOS X (preferably 10.4 or later), because the Java platforms of earlier MacOS version out outdated.

Once you have completed installing jEdit locate the jedit.jar file and do the following:

- Drag the `jedit.jar` to JBinary and JBinary will launch.

- In the Command window in the Class path box replace `jedit` with `org.gjt.sp.jedit.jEdit`.

- Then click the Save settings button. It will ask for an application name and will create a double-clickable icon on your desktop.

- Double-click on your icon to launch jEdit.

How do I uninstall jEdit for Mac OS?

There are no system files, so simply drop the jEdit folder in the trash. If you want to remove the settings directory used by jEdit you will find it at `~/.jedit`. It is hidden, so you will need to remove it from the command line, or use one of the various uilities available that will let you see it.

Installing jEdit on Windows

Is there anything different about installing jEdit on Windows?

For the Microsoft Windows family of operating systems, jEdit provides an additional package of features called jEditLauncher. These features include:

- Built-in shortcut icons for launching jEdit;

- Support for opening files in jEdit using custom entries in the context (right-click) menu of the Windows shell;

- Support for running BeanShell scripts in jEdit from outside the application;

- Support for launching jEdit and loading files using scripting languages such as VBScript, Perl and Python;

- Automatic uninstallation of jEdit using the Add/Remove Programs applet in Control Panel.

The package is a recommended option that is selected by default when you install jEdit. The Java installer application launches a separate Windows installer module for the native Windows executables that comprise the jEditLauncher package. If the installation involves an upgrade, you may be asked to reboot your computer to complete the process.

Do I need any special Windows components to run jEditLauncher?

Regardless of the version of Windows that you use, if you have kept it reasonably up-to-date with service packs or component upgrades from Microsoft, you should have no trouble running jEditLauncher. Users of Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows NT (version 4.0), Windows 2000 and Windows XP have not reported problems involving missing components.

Some users of older versions of Windows 95 may need to upgrade their version of the Windows Sockets package. Others may be missing Microsoft's package for supporting DCOM (Distributed Component Object Model) components on Windows 95. Both the Windows Sockets upgrade and the DCOM package are available for download from Microsoft.

Can I run jEdit on Microsoft's virtual machine?

The latest version of jEdit, version 4.3, requires at least version 1.5 of the Java 2 platform, and therefore may not be compatible with 3rd party virtual machines.