Advanced Java Setup on Windows (JDK 17/21, VS Code, Eclipse, Maven, Tomcat)

📌 Comprehensive Advanced Java Environment Setup

Setting up a complete Java development environment on Windows is essential for developing enterprise applications, web services with Servlets/JSP, REST APIs, and database-driven solutions.

📋 1. What We Need to Install

For Advanced Java, we recommend installing the following software suite:

Software	Purpose
JDK 17 or 21	Java Development Kit (JDK 17 or 21 LTS is recommended for learning & production)
VS Code	Lightweight code editor for Java development
Eclipse IDE	Full-featured Java IDE for Enterprise & Web Developers
Apache Tomcat	Web application server for Servlets, JSP & REST APIs
MySQL	Relational Database Management System (RDBMS)
MySQL Workbench	Graphical GUI client for database management
Git	Version control system
Maven	Dependency & build management tool

1 PART 1 — Install JDK on Windows

Step 1: Download JDK

You can use either Eclipse Temurin JDK (Adoptium) or Oracle JDK. For a course or enterprise learning environment, Eclipse Temurin JDK 17/21 is a convenient choice.

Download the Windows x64 Installer (.msi or .exe).
During installation, preferably enable:
- Set JAVA_HOME
- Add to PATH

Step 2: Verify Java

Open Command Prompt (cmd) and execute:

java -version

You should see output similar to:

java version "21.0.x" 2026-x-x LTS

Then verify the Java compiler:

javac -version

Example output:

javac 21.0.x

If both commands return the version without errors, Java is successfully installed!

2 PART 2 — Configure JAVA_HOME Environment Variable

Configuring JAVA_HOME is critical because tools like Maven, Tomcat, Spring Boot CLI, and Gradle rely on this environment variable to locate the JDK installation directory.

Search Windows Start menu for: Environment Variables
Select: Edit the system environment variables
Click Environment Variables... → Under System Variables, click New
Set the variable details:
Variable name: JAVA_HOME
Variable value: C:\Program Files\Eclipse Adoptium\jdk-21.x.x-hotspot
Next, select the Path variable under System Variables and click Edit.
Click New and add:

%JAVA_HOME%\bin

Open a new Command Prompt window and verify:

echo %JAVA_HOME%

java -version

3 PART 3 — VS Code Setup for Java

Step 1: Install VS Code

Download and install Visual Studio Code from code.visualstudio.com and open VS Code after installation.

Step 2: Install Java Extension Pack

In VS Code, go to Extensions tab (or press Ctrl + Shift + X).
Search for: Extension Pack for Java (by Microsoft).
Click Install. This pack installs 6 essential extensions:
- Language Support for Java™ by Red Hat
- Debugger for Java
- Maven for Java
- Test Runner for Java
- Project Manager for Java
- IntelliCode

4 PART 4 — Create First Java Project in VS Code

Create a folder on your drive: D:\AdvancedJava
Open VS Code and choose File → Open Folder, then select D:\AdvancedJava
Press Ctrl + Shift + P to open the Command Palette.
Search for and select: Java: Create Java Project.
Choose project build type: Select Maven (recommended for Advanced Java) or No build tools.

5 PART 5 — Maven Project Structure

A standard Maven directory layout follows strict convention, which is essential for Advanced Java and web projects:

AdvancedJava
│
├── pom.xml
│
└── src
    ├── main
    │   ├── java
    │   └── resources
    │
    └── test
        └── java
              

6 PART 6 — Create First Java Program in VS Code

Create a file at path: src/main/java/com/teluguittutorials/App.java

package com.teluguittutorials;

public class App {

    public static void main(String[] args) {

        System.out.println("Welcome to Advanced Java");

    }
}

Click the Run button above main() method in VS Code.

Output:

Welcome to Advanced Java

7 PART 7 — Configure Maven Project (pom.xml)

Your initial pom.xml file specifies project metadata and JDK compiler version settings:

<project xmlns="http://maven.apache.org/POM/4.0.0"
         xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"
         xsi:schemaLocation="http://maven.apache.org/POM/4.0.0
         https://maven.apache.org/xsd/maven-4.0.0.xsd">

    <modelVersion>4.0.0</modelVersion>

    <groupId>com.teluguittutorials</groupId>

    <artifactId>advanced-java</artifactId>

    <version>1.0-SNAPSHOT</version>

    <properties>
        <maven.compiler.source>17</maven.compiler.source>
        <maven.compiler.target>17</maven.compiler.target>
    </properties>

</project>
              

Note: If you are using JDK 21, simply change the compiler source and target properties to 21:
<maven.compiler.source>21</maven.compiler.source>
<maven.compiler.target>21</maven.compiler.target>

8 PART 8 — Install Eclipse IDE

Download: Eclipse IDE for Enterprise Java and Web Developers from eclipse.org.
This edition is preferable for Advanced Java because it comes pre-packaged with Servlet, JSP, JSF, Web Tools Platform (WTP), and XML tools.
Run installer and launch Eclipse on Windows.
When prompted for a Workspace directory, enter: D:\AdvancedJavaWorkspace
Click Launch.

9 PART 9 — Verify Java Configuration in Eclipse

Ensure Eclipse is linked to your system JDK installation:

Window → Preferences → Java → Installed JREs

Verify your installed JDK (e.g. JDK 21) is listed.
If it is not available, click Add... → Standard VM → Next.
Browse and select your JDK installation folder: C:\Program Files\Eclipse Adoptium\jdk-21.x.x-hotspot
Check the checkbox next to the JDK to set it as default.

10 PART 10 — Create Java Project in Eclipse

File → New → Java Project

Project name: AdvancedJava
Select your JDK version under JRE options.
Click Finish.

11 PART 11 — Create Package in Eclipse

Right-click the src folder in Package Explorer.
Select New → Package.
Name: com.teluguittutorials
Click Finish.

12 PART 12 — Create Java Class & Run in Eclipse

Right-click package com.teluguittutorials → New → Class.
Name: App
Check: public static void main(String[] args)
Click Finish.

Add program logic:

package com.teluguittutorials;

public class App {

    public static void main(String[] args) {

        System.out.println("Welcome to Advanced Java");

    }
}

Right-click App.java → Run As → Java Application.

Console Output:

Welcome to Advanced Java

13 PART 13 — Install Standalone Maven

First, check if Maven command-line tool is already installed:

mvn -version

If you see 'mvn' is not recognized as an internal or external command, install Apache Maven:

Download Apache Maven binary zip from maven.apache.org.
Extract it to a folder such as: C:\apache-maven
Create System Variable:
Variable name: MAVEN_HOME
Variable value: C:\apache-maven\apache-maven-3.x.x
Edit Path System Variable and add: %MAVEN_HOME%\bin
Verify in a new Command Prompt:

mvn -version

14 PART 14 — Install Apache Tomcat

For Advanced Java web development, Apache Tomcat is essential for learning and hosting:

Servlets
JSP (JavaServer Pages) & JSTL
MVC Architecture
Filters & Listeners
Session Management & Cookies
RESTful Web APIs

Download Apache Tomcat (zip/installer) from tomcat.apache.org and extract it to:

D:\Servers\apache-tomcat

🚀

Advanced Java Environment Ready!
You have successfully configured JDK 17/21, JAVA_HOME, VS Code, Eclipse IDE, Maven, and Tomcat. You are ready to start building Advanced Java web and enterprise applications!