Java Beginner

Hello,
While i'm not new to the world of programming given my sound knowledge of Vb6 and .Net 2005, i'm a complete novice to Java. I'll be commencing its classes soon but i'm having problems getting acquainted to how it works as i intend to work with what i already have. Presently, i've got a couple of e-books plus a s/ware called netBeans and the Java compiler .
My major dilema is knowing how codes are written and interpreted/compiled in Java even though programming languages bear some similarities with respect to the use of Variables, Loops n so on. I'd like answers to the following:
1. What's the main GUI used for writing d source codes in Java?
2. Are there menu like options for controls and oblects as alternatives to the codes as obtains in Visual studio?
3. Besides, is NetBeans the main s/ware to use or just an arm of Java itself?
4. What are the requirements proper in terms of s/wares?

Yeah, i already hav d compiler but aw do i execute d code after typing in WordPad?

@ilosiwaju
Yeah thanks for giving the dude the steps on compilation

Well that info is cool, but he will have to set the path all the time he opens his command line. if he close it, blam his path has gone. also he wont be able to run any other command on the command line apart from the commands in java/bin. why not make life easier, add the path to the environment variables, so u don't have to do that everytime, Its been long since I do any windows but I think some guys here can help out, or better still visit http://naijadukes.com thats a purely java forum.

My other solution is create a batch file and place it in your windows/system32 folder(I hope windows still uses system32     ). Creating a batch file is also easy

1. start notepad
2 Type the following commands

c:\pathtojavabindir\javac

NOTE: That if your path is in program files like C:\Program Files\ you might consider typing

c:\Progra~1\java\,  instead. I don't know if later windows have resolved that problem but to be on the safe side, just use Progra~1 instead of Program Files

3. save the file as javac.bat (make sure u select "all files" somewhere in Notepad save dialog).

now as u power on ur command line,  to compile just type javac yourfilename.java

Now to run the file, type java yourfilename (without the extension). Mordern jdk's already put java in your path

But if peradventure you get and error message that java is not recognised or something like that, just repeat the steps above, replacing javac with java

chikena

ciao

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