2.2. Installation options

2.2. Installation options
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Now that you have a computer that can install and run ArgoUML effectively, you need to decide which of the installation options available is appropriate for you. You can choose from the following options:

Java Web Start
This alternative is good for occasional users and tests. It is the easiest and quickest way to start using ArgoUML. It requires connection to the ArgoUML homepage.
1. Make sure you have Java Web Start installed.
2. Follow the Launch ArgoUML-link from the ArgoUML homepage.
3. ArgoUML will be downloaded, cached locally and started.
4. On subsequent starts, the ArgoUML is available also from the Java Web Start console (even without being connected to the internet)and (if connected) at each start the version is checked against that on the web server and updates are automatically downloaded.
Use the Windows Installer
This installation method is the easiest way for most Windows users. It also installs all available modules, which includes support for e.g. C++ and PHP.
1. Download the installer from the ArgoUML homepage. The filename is of the form ArgoUML-vvvv-setup.exe (with vvvv the version number).
2. Run the downloaded installer program and follow the directions on the screen.
3. The install wizard gives you the opportunity to install the latest "JRE" (Java Runtime Environment). There is no need to select this if you already have a Sun Java installed, version 5 or better.
Binary distribution
This is good for regular users and guarantees that the version of ArgoUML cannot change during the course of your project.
1. Make sure that you have a recent Java JRE installed.
2. Download the ArgoUML binary distribution from the ArgoUML homepage.
  This could also include copying it to and from a USB memory stick or CD in order to get it to the computer if no network connection is available.
3. Create an ArgoUML installation directory.
4. Change the current directory to the ArgoUML installation directory and extract the ArgoUML files to the installation directory.
5. Start by running the argouml.jar file, either by simply (double-) clicking on the file, or by executing the following command: java -jar argouml.jar at the command line, or via a batch-file.