Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Computing/2016 September 16

= September 16 =

Java IDE?
My daughter is taking a class in Java programming. They are entering the source in Notepad+ (or Notepad++) and then compiling it from the command line. This way of writing programs has been obsolete for 30 years. Don't they have integrated environments for Java? If so, why is the teacher using the obsolete method? Bubba73 You talkin' to me? 04:51, 16 September 2016 (UTC)
 * Well, you'd have to ask them wouldn't you? The most we can do is speculate, which I'm sure you could do yourself? Maybe as a skill it's more transferable than learning any one particular IDE? Maybe they think learning to compile from the command line is useful? Maybe they are lazy? Maybe they are stupid? Maybe there are IDE licensing fees the institution doesn't want to pay? Vespine (talk) 05:43, 16 September 2016 (UTC)


 * My daughter doesn't want me to embarrass her by asking the teacher while she is in the class. Bubba73 You talkin' to me? 06:17, 16 September 2016 (UTC)
 * The are a number of very good free IDEs. For example, Netbeans. Ruslik_ Zero 08:56, 16 September 2016 (UTC)
 * Or Eclipse and IntelliJ IDEA. In my experience, these three are the most commonly used Java IDEs. When I was in college, we used DrJava and were encouraged to avoid full-featured IDEs until we were comfortable hand-coding and compiling. clpo13(talk) 15:55, 16 September 2016 (UTC)


 * Many programmers, in particular on Unix/Linux, prefer separate command line tools and sophisticated text editors instead of IDEs. Apparently this is less common on Windows: Integrated development environment. It seems that Notepad++ is quite sophisticated too. PiusImpavidus (talk) 09:58, 16 September 2016 (UTC)


 * For a first learning experience it is probably better to start with simple command line compilation and separate text editors, as the concepts will then become clear in the students minds, rather than some do-it-all gui. Graeme Bartlett (talk) 11:53, 16 September 2016 (UTC)


 * Agreed. Also, command line compilers and linkers often have options that are not available from menu-based systems.  Of course, typing all that in manually is a pain, so having a compile and link script, which you can edit when changes are needed, is the way to go there.  You can then add comments like "Comment out this module and uncomment the next module to...".  StuRat (talk) 15:45, 16 September 2016 (UTC)


 * (1) Yes, several integrated development environments (IDEs) exist for Java, as Ruslik mentioned, many of them listed on the Category:Java development tools page.
 * (2) "This way of writing programs has been obsolete for 30 years." Really? Does any WP:RELIABLE source support this statement, or is this simply an appeal to novelty?
 * (3) Why? Many teachers claim that it is better for students to start to program with a simple text editor and a command-line compiler (rather than an IDE), even teachers who think IDEs are awesome and should be used all the time (except when initially learning programming). . --DavidCary (talk) 15:49, 16 September 2016 (UTC)


 * For (2) I went to an IDE slightly more than 30 years ago and I never went back; and I don't know anyone who did. Bubba73 You talkin' to me? 20:04, 16 September 2016 (UTC)
 * I understand (and I'm not an expert) that this has been called "hipster" software development. Blythwood (talk) 03:35, 17 September 2016 (UTC)


 * For some discussion about using IDEs when learning to program: radar.oreilly.com/2014/01/to-ide-or-not-to-ide.html To IDE or Not to IDE?
 * Using an IDE implies that you are doing less work. The IDE is highlighting the syntax, marking unassigned variables, telling you would need to import a library. Learners should think about all this stuff and solve these issues by themselves.Llaanngg (talk) 16:05, 21 September 2016 (UTC)

Unlocking LG-C395 over USB
Somebody bought the entitled model number mobile phone from America, it needs to be unlocked. A USB wire came with it, so I wonder, if I could unlock it myself, with some of wikipedians assistance. What do I do?; a step by step guide is beneficial… 103.230.106.1 (talk) 11:38, 16 September 2016 (UTC)
 * Some repairers say that if a blocked 'phone is brought to them they will hand it in to the police.  It may be that this is an illegal operation, in which case we wouldn't be able to help. 78.146.219.18 (talk) 11:54, 16 September 2016 (UTC)
 * Unblocking a phone is fairly different from unlocking. Unlocking normally refers to remove restrictions the supplier of the phone has place on what network SIMs can be used in the generally subsidised phone. In many countries it's not illegal (although this isn't legal advice) and in fact suppliers may be required to provide you unlock codes either for free after a certain time or for a resonable cost. If the subsidised phone came with a contract, you'd generally have to keep the terms of that contract, but that generally just means staying on the network for a certain time with some phone, or no phone, the main thing the network wants is for you to pay your bill. Unblocking generally refers to trying to prevent a phone that's been blocked on the network, probably because it was reported stolen. (Although I think some networks also block phones which they believe are fakes etc.) This normally requires changing the IMEI and is obviously more legally dubious. However it isn't normally needed when you've taken a phone to another country anyway as most blocks at most only apply within one country although I believe there is a EU wide blacklist. (Getting international agreements on blacklists are complicated since you have to figure out what happens for example when someone in Malaysia finds their phone was falsely reported as stolen in Brazil.) With modern smartphones in particular, they may have a "kill switch" which when activated which can happen remotely, will try to brick the phone. Trying to fix this device will probably simply be referred to as unbricking. Nil Einne (talk) 13:02, 16 September 2016 (UTC)
 * Copied from WT:RD. Nil Einne (talk) 12:39, 16 September 2016 (UTC)