GWT Basics: AJAX Programming with Java

By Michael J. Ross
2008-03-10


Installing GWT

Before you begin the GWT installation process, verify that your target machine has a recent installation of the Java Runtime Engine (JRE). The GWT installation page states that you need the Java SDK (Software Development Kit) — a subset of which is the Java SE Development Kit (JDK) — but my testing suggests that only the JRE is needed. Most Internet users probably have the JRE installed on their machines, but not a full SDK.

If you have an earlier version of GWT already installed on your computer, remove it by simply deleting the contents of that directory. There is no need to go through any Windows application uninstall process, because the GWT installation does not use any sort of installer executable, does not add keys to the Windows Registry, and does not put an entry in the Control Panel's "Add or Remove Programs" applet.

Once you have finished downloading the GWT Zip file, extract its contents into a new or existing GWT directory, which can be thought of as the GWT root directory. (Henceforth in this tutorial, all directory paths will be relative to the GWT root directory.) The top level directories and files are shown in the figure below.

Tutorial Pages:
» Introduction
» AJAX Overview
» GWT to the Rescue
» Installing GWT
» Running Sample Applications
» Resources

Related Tutorials: » Getting Started with AJAX in jQuery » AJAX Accessibility for Websites » AJAX and PHP Form Processing » The obligatory 'My Ajax Tutorial' Post » A Designer's Guide to Prototyping Ajax » Ajax Wireframing Approaches