Problem Set 0

Installation instructions on Windows

Step 0: Adjust your keyboard language

While using the software for this course, your computer’s keyboard language must be set to English. If needed, please follow these instructions to change your keyboard language.

Step 1: Install VSCodium

Preliminary notes

  • We recommend VSCodium as the IDE (integrated development environment) for this course. It is based on an IDE called VS Code that is commonly used by professional programmers, but VSCodium has generative AI features turned off by default and no pre-installed extensions. The use of AI tools is not permitted in this course, and using VSCodium will make it easier for you to become proficient in writing code on your own.

  • You are welcome to use a different IDE for Java if you prefer. However, even students who have already used another IDE find it convenient to install VSCodium specifically for their work in this course. Note that it is possible to install VSCodium alongside an existing VS Code installation, since VSCodium has its own, separate configuration file from VS Code.

  1. Go to the VSCodium releases page.

  2. Scroll down to the table of download links for the latest release, and download the Windows user installer:

    • Most Windows laptops: choose the file whose name begins with VSCodiumUserSetup-x64 and ends with .exe.
    • Windows laptops with an ARM processor: choose the file whose name begins with VSCodiumUserSetup-arm64 and ends with .exe. If you are not sure which one you need, try the x64 installer.

  3. Go to your Downloads folder and double-click the .exe file that you downloaded. If prompted to do so, click Run.

  4. You should be able to use the default settings that the installer gives you. Wait for it to complete the installation and then click Finish. You can then delete the installer program.

Step 2: Install a JDK

Java programs are compiled and run using a tool called the Java Development Kit, or JDK. For this course, please install a recent version (25 or newer).

After a JDK is installed, the javac and java commands become available.

  1. Go to the Eclipse Temurin download page.
  2. Select the latest LTS version.
  3. Use the following settings:
    • Operating system: Windows
    • Architecture: x64 for most Windows laptops, or aarch64 / arm64 if you have a Windows laptop with an ARM processor
    • Package type: JDK
  4. Download the installer, which should have a name ending in .msi.
  5. Double-click the .msi file and follow the prompts to install the JDK.

Step 3: Verify the JDK installation

  1. If VSCodium is not already open, launch it.
  2. Open VSCodium’s built-in Terminal pane. You can do this by pressing the Control key and the backtick key, or by selecting Terminal->New Terminal from the menu.
  3. In the Terminal, type the following command and then press Enter:
    java -version
    You should see output that looks similar to this:
    > java -version
openjdk version "25.0.1" 2025-10-21 LTS
OpenJDK Runtime Environment Temurin-25.0.1+8 (build 25.0.1+8-LTS)
OpenJDK 64-Bit Server VM Temurin-25.0.1+8 (build 25.0.1+8-LTS, mixed mode, sharing)
    The exact version may be different, but the output should include “Temurin” and a recent Java version number.