Java Development on OpenVMS

Got an OpenVMS box and you need to run some Java stuff?

$ SHOW SYSTEM
OpenVMS V7.3 on node VMS 4-MAR-2008 22:26:36.67 Uptime 0 01:16:05

$ JAVA -version
vms$dka0:[sys0.syscommon.][sysexe]java$java.exe;1 version "1.1.8-5"

Well, if you happen to have an older version of OpenVMS and Java (you can download a newer JDK - 1.5 here) you're going to have to set it up properly first. Set the CLASSPATH too.

$ @SYS$MANAGER:JAVA$SETUP.COM
Setting up symbols for foreign command line usage...
%DCL-I-SUPERSEDE, previous value of JAVA_COMPILER has been superseded
%DCL-I-SUPERSEDE, previous value of JAVA$FILENAME_CONTROLS has been superseded
JAVA$FILENAME_CONTROLS now set to: -1

$ DEF JAVA$CLASSPATH "/sys$common/java/lib/JDK118_CLASSES.ZIP:."
%DCL-I-SUPERSEDE, previous value of JAVA$CLASSPATH has been superseded

Great, now that we've setup our JAVA environment, we can start developing applications :P.

$ ED HW.JAVA
class hw
{
public static void main(String args[])
{
System.out.println("Hello, OpenVMS!");
}
}

^Z (Type Control Z to save and exit)

$ TYPE HW.JAVA
class hw
{
public static void main(String args[])
{
System.out.println("Hello, OpenVMS!");
}
}

$ JAVAC HW.JAVA

$ JAVA HW
Hello, OpenVMS!

Enjoy your ancient version of Java...

PS: Once you've had your fun, just download JDK 1.5 :-).