Designed for educators and students, Ready is a complete Java development environment designed to be fast to learn and easy to administer.
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Frequently Asked Questions about
Ready to Program with Java^TM Technology

Computer Requirements
Java
IDE Features
Availability
Holt Software

Computer Requirement

1. What are the minimum hardware requirements?
2. Does it run on the Macintosh?
3. Does it run under Linux?

Java

1. What version of Java does it support?
2. Will Ready ever support Java 2?
3. What compiler does Ready use?
4. What JVM does Ready use?
5. Can I plug alternate JVMs into Ready?
6. Will Ready interfere with the JVM already installed?

IDE Features

1. What sort of debugger does Ready have?
2. Can it be installed on the network?
3. Can I modify the skeleton frameworks provided?
4. How does Ready handle multiple file programs if it does not have projects?
5. We don't use paper to submit programs for grading. Can Ready help?

Availability

1. When can I get Ready?
2. I would like more information about Ready?

Holt Software

1. Who is Holt Software?
2. What is Holt Software's presence on the internet?

Computer Requirement

What are the minimum hardware requirements?

Ready will run on a 486 with 16MB running Windows 95 or better. Currently there is no Macintosh or Linux version available.

Does it run on the Macintosh?

Currently, no. While there are no plans to bring Ready to the Macintosh at the present time, we will, of course, consider doing so if demand and support is there. If you're interested, let us know!

Does it run under Linux?

A Linux version of Ready is in the works! If you are interested in being an alpha or beta tester, please let us know!

Java

What version of Java does Ready support?

The current version includes Java 1.1.8. Ready currently supports Java 2, but does not ship with it. An administrator can download Sun's latest JRE and install it into Ready very easily. (See here for instructions on how to do this.)

Will Ready ever support Java 2?

A new release of Ready due out in January 2002 will include Java 2 version 1.3.

What compiler does Ready use?

Ready overlies a slightly modified version of IBM's Jikes compiler. Jikes was selected because it faster (by several times) than most other compilers out there and it uses much less memory. Also, it has excellent error messages.

What JVM does Ready use?

Ready overlies Sun's JRE 1.1.8, release 4.

Can I plug alternate JVMs into Ready?

Yes, very easily. Instructions for doing so can be found here.

Will Ready interfere with the JVM already installed?

No. Ready is designed to run completely on its own. It does not require a pre-existing JVM, nor does it try and replace or modify any pre-existing JVM.

IDE Features

What sort of debugger does Ready have?

None at this time. If a debugger can be created that is easy enough to understand and use, we will strongly consider adding it to Ready.

Can it be installed on the network?

Absolutely. In fact Ready uses a two step process for reading preferences. Administrators can set preferences for the users as a whole, while the students can change the preferences to customize their own environment. Only the differences from the administrator preferences are saved as personal preferences, allowing administrators to change the preferences midway through the course without students having to throw out their personal preferences.

Can I modify the skeleton frameworks provided?

Definitely. The skeleton frameworks (and the code blocks) are saved in a text file that can be modified by the administrator. The administrator can rename them, modify them, add to them or even delete them altogether.

How does Ready handle multiple file programs if it does not have projects?

Because Ready does not use projects, the main file in a multiple file program must be specified in another manner. In Ready, the student opens up the main program in a window and chooses Select as Main from the File menu. From then on, whenever the user runs a program, Ready runs the selected file. The compiler does a complete dependency check, recompiling files as necessary.

We don't use paper to submit programs for grading. Can Ready help?

We are considering to allowing the user to e-mail or possibly HTTP POST the combined program listings, input files and output files to an address specified by the administrator.

Availability

How can I get Ready?

Ready is available for purchase by individuals and institutions from Holt Software. It is also bundled with our Java textbook. Qualified educational institutions can also obtain a copy by joining IBM's Academic Program for Java. Click here for information on obtaining Ready.

Where can I get more information about Ready?

For availability information about Ready, e-mail chris@hsa.on.ca . For technical questions not answered here, e-mail west@hsa.on.ca .

Holt Software

Who is Holt Software?

Holt Software is a full service solutions source for educational programming, developing software and curriculum materials across the educational user spectrum. For the last 16 years, the Holt Software team has been designing compilers, interpreters and programming environments for educators and publishing computer science textbooks for secondary schools, colleges and universities.
Holt Software also develops and distributes the Turing programming language used extensively in high schools.

What is Holt Software's presence on the internet?

Holt Software's web site can be found at www.holtsoft.com.