Installing JDK 8u201 on Windows x64

Java Development Kit (JDK) is the core component for developing Java applications. The version JDK 8u201 introduces several new features and improvements, especially for developers using Windows x64. Below is a step-by-step guide to install and configure it properly on your system.

1. Download the Package

Download the jdk-8u201-windows-x64.rar file from the Oracle website or a trusted third-party source. Extract the files to your preferred location on your hard drive.

2. Install the JDK

Locate the extracted file jdk-8u201-windows-x64.exe and double-click to start the installation. Follow the prompts to select the installation path and other options like environment variables setup.

3. Configure Environment Variables

To ensure your system can use Java from the command line, set up the following:

• JAVA_HOME: Point this to the JDK installation folder (e.g., C:Program FilesJavajdk1.8.0_201).
• Path: Append %JAVA_HOME%bin to the existing system path to allow commands like java and javac to work.

4. Validate Installation

After installation, open the command prompt and run java -version. If everything was set up correctly, this will display the installed version of the JDK, confirming a successful installation.

Main JDK Components

• JRE: Includes the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), core libraries, and other files required to run Java applications.
• Java Compiler (javac): Compiles Java source code into bytecode.
• Java Debugger (jdb): Helps in debugging Java applications.
• Javadoc Tool: Automatically generates documentation from source code.
• JAR Tool (jar): Packages Java classes and resources into JAR files.
• Java Mission Control (JMC): An advanced tool for performance monitoring and diagnostics.

Key Features of JDK 8u201

• Lambda Expressions: Introduces functional programming features for cleaner, more readable code.
• Stream API: Enables more efficient data processing with parallel and sequential streams.
• Method and Constructor References: Simplifies referencing existing methods and constructors.
• Date/Time API: Replaces the old java.util.Date with a more intuitive and powerful java.time package.
• Interface Default Methods: Allows default method implementations in interfaces.
• Enhanced Type Inference: Reduces code redundancy with the diamond operator.