Developing an applet

[DigiRev]

I want to develop a web-based java applet that will run inside a web browser. It will be more or less a chat room kind of thing.

I made the client/server in VB but now I want to make a web-based client so people can chat from their web browser.

I know nothing about JAVA at all but I can learn from tutorials and whatnot.

But I don't know where to start. What (SDK?) development environment/software do I download? Where do I get it?

[ComputerJy]

You can use a free chat room instead of developing the applet.
But if you want to learn and do it by yourself you'll need to download JSE the JDK not the JRE of course. and you can search this forum for free IDEs or you can start the right way and use the "Notepad"

[DigiRev]

I don't mind writing in notepad.

I see 3 of the JDK ones listed, which one should I get?

JDK 6u1
The Java SE Development Kit (JDK) includes the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) and command-line development tools that are useful for developing applets and applications.

JDK 6u1 with Java EE
Java EE provides web services, component-model, management, and communications APIs that make it the industry standard for implementing enterprise-class service-oriented architecture (SOA) and Web 2.0 applications.

JDK 6u1 with NetBeans 5.5.1
This distribution of the Java SE Development Kit (JDK) includes NetBeans IDE, which is a powerful integrated development environment for developing applications on the Java platform.

[ComputerJy]

The first one is the most appropriate for you.
If you want to try NetBeans - A great Java IDE - You can select the 3^rd one

[DigiRev]

The first one is the most appropriate for you.
If you want to try NetBeans - A great Java IDE - You can select the 3^rd one

So the 3rd one is the same as the first except it has a Java IDE? I'm going to try it out, thanks.

[eranga262154]

I use IntelliJ Idea for Java stuff. You can download it from here. I feel it is easer to use than NetBeans.