corda/docs/source/getting-set-up.rst

Getting set up for CorDapp development

Software requirements

Corda uses industry-standard tools:

• Oracle JDK 8 JVM - minimum supported version 8u171
• IntelliJ IDEA - supported versions 2017.x and 2018.x (with Kotlin plugin version )
• Git

We also use Gradle and Kotlin, but you do not need to install them. A standalone Gradle wrapper is provided, and it will download the correct version of Kotlin.

Please note:

• Corda runs in a JVM. JVM implementations other than Oracle JDK 8 are not actively supported. However, if you do choose to use OpenJDK, you will also need to install OpenJFX
• Applications on Corda (CorDapps) can be written in any language targeting the JVM. However, Corda itself and most of the samples are written in Kotlin. Kotlin is an official Android language, and you can read more about why Kotlin is a strong successor to Java here. If you're unfamiliar with Kotlin, there is an official getting started guide, and a series of Kotlin Koans
• IntelliJ IDEA is recommended due to the strength of its Kotlin integration

Following these software recommendations will minimize the number of errors you encounter, and make it easier for others to provide support. However, if you do use other tools, we'd be interested to hear about any issues that arise.

Set-up instructions

The instructions below will allow you to set up your development environment for running Corda and writing CorDapps. If you have any issues, please reach out on Stack Overflow or via our Slack channels.

The set-up instructions are available for the following platforms:

• windows-label (or in video form)
• mac-label (or in video form)
• deb-ubuntu-label
• fedora-label

Windows

Warning

If you are using a Mac, Debian/Ubuntu or Fedora machine, please follow the mac-label, deb-ubuntu-label or fedora-label instructions instead.

Java

1. Visit http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/jdk8-downloads-2133151.html
2. Scroll down to "Java SE Development Kit 8uXXX" (where "XXX" is the latest minor version number)
3. Toggle "Accept License Agreement"
4. Click the download link for jdk-8uXXX-windows-x64.exe (where "XXX" is the latest minor version number)
5. Download and run the executable to install Java (use the default settings)
6. Add Java to the PATH environment variable by following the instructions at https://docs.oracle.com/javase/7/docs/webnotes/install/windows/jdk-installation-windows.html#path
7. Open a new command prompt and run java -version to test that Java is installed correctly

Git

1. Visit https://git-scm.com/download/win
2. Click the "64-bit Git for Windows Setup" download link.
3. Download and run the executable to install Git (use the default settings)
4. Open a new command prompt and type git --version to test that git is installed correctly

IntelliJ

1. Visit https://www.jetbrains.com/idea/download/download-thanks.html?code=IIC
2. Download and run the executable to install IntelliJ Community Edition (use the default settings)
3. Ensure the Kotlin plugin in Intellij is updated to version

Mac

Warning

If you are using a Windows, Debian/Ubuntu or Fedora machine, please follow the windows-label, deb-ubuntu-label or fedora-label instructions instead.

Java

1. Visit http://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/jdk8-downloads-2133151.html
2. Scroll down to "Java SE Development Kit 8uXXX" (where "XXX" is the latest minor version number)
3. Toggle "Accept License Agreement"
4. Click the download link for jdk-8uXXX-macosx-x64.dmg (where "XXX" is the latest minor version number)
5. Download and run the executable to install Java (use the default settings)
6. Open a new terminal window and run java -version to test that Java is installed correctly

IntelliJ

1. Visit https://www.jetbrains.com/idea/download/download-thanks.html?platform=mac&code=IIC
2. Download and run the executable to install IntelliJ Community Edition (use the default settings)
3. Ensure the Kotlin plugin in Intellij is updated to version

Debian/Ubuntu

Warning

If you are using a Mac, Windows or Fedora machine, please follow the mac-label, windows-label or fedora-label instructions instead.

These instructions were tested on Ubuntu Desktop 18.04 LTS.

Java

1. Open a new terminal and add the Oracle PPA to your repositories by typing sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/java. Press ENTER when prompted.
2. Update your packages list with the command sudo apt update
3. Install the Oracle JDK 8 by typing sudo apt install oracle-java8-installer. Press Y when prompted and agree to the licence terms.
4. Verify that the JDK was installed correctly by running java -version

Git

1. From the terminal, Git can be installed using apt with the command sudo apt install git
2. Verify that git was installed correctly by typing git --version

IntelliJ

Jetbrains offers a pre-built snap package that allows for easy, one-step installation of IntelliJ onto Ubuntu.

1. To download the snap, navigate to https://snapcraft.io/intellij-idea-community
2. Click Install, then View in Desktop Store. Choose Ubuntu Software in the Launch Application window.
3. Ensure the Kotlin plugin in Intellij is updated to version

Fedora

Warning

If you are using a Mac, Windows or Debian/Ubuntu machine, please follow the mac-label, windows-label or deb-ubuntu-label instructions instead.

These instructions were tested on Fedora 28.

Java

1. Download the RPM installation file of Oracle JDK from https://www.oracle.com/technetwork/java/javase/downloads/jdk8-downloads-2133151.html.
2. Install the package with rpm -ivh jdk-<version>-linux-<architecture>.rpm or use the default software manager.
3. Choose java version by using the following command alternatives --config java
4. Verify that the JDK was installed correctly by running java -version

Git

1. From the terminal, Git can be installed using dnf with the command sudo dnf install git
2. Verify that git was installed correctly by typing git --version

IntelliJ

1. Visit https://www.jetbrains.com/idea/download/download-thanks.html?platform=linux&code=IIC
2. Unpack the tar.gz file using the following command tar xfz ideaIC-<version>.tar.gz -C /opt
3. Run IntelliJ with /opt/ideaIC-<version>/bin/idea.sh
4. Ensure the Kotlin plugin in IntelliJ is updated to version

Next steps

First, run the example CorDapp <tutorial-cordapp>.

Next, read through the Corda Key Concepts <key-concepts> to understand how Corda works.

By then, you'll be ready to start writing your own CorDapps. Learn how to do this in the Hello, World tutorial <hello-world-introduction>. You may want to refer to the API documentation <corda-api>, the flow cookbook <flow-cookbook> and the samples along the way.

If you encounter any issues, please ask on Stack Overflow or via our Slack channels.