Tutorial 1 - Installing Jason

This tutorial describes how to install everything needed for Jason development, including Java SE, Jason, Eclipse, and the Jason plugin for Eclipse.

• Java
  • Step 1 - Download and install Java SE
• Jason
  • Step 2 - Download and install Jason
  • Step 3 - Run the Jason configuration tool
• Eclipse
  • Step 4 - Download and install Eclipse
  • Step 5 - Install the Jason plugin for Eclipse
• Test that it works
  • Step 6 - Create a new Jason project
  • Step 7 - Run the Jason project
  • Step 8 - Terminate the Jason project
• Conclusion

Java

Step 1 - Download and install Java SE

Java Platform, Standard Edition (Java SE) is available to download from Oracle.

As of February 2024, the latest version is Java SE 21.

Select Download under this version and then identify the appropriate package for your platform (e.g. x64 Installer for Windows).

Download and install the selected package.

Jason

Step 2 - Download and install Jason

Jason is available to download from SourceForge.

As of February 2024, the latest version is Jason 3.2. However, for this tutorial series we will use Jason 2.6.3.

Note: Jason 3.0 introduced some changes to the Jason language that do not guarantee compatibility with this tutorial series so you must use Jason 2.6.3.

Download and extract jason-2.6.3.zip as a directory called jason-2.6.3 and remember its absolute path, e.g. /path/to/jason-2.6.3/.

Note: Do not install Jason in a protected directory, which includes /Users/your_username/Downloads/ on macOS.

Step 3 - Run the Jason configuration tool

Run the file jason-2.6.3/libs/jason-2.6.3.jar.

Note: On macOS you may see an error message "jason-2.6.3.jar" cannot be opened because it is from an unidentified developer. If this occurs, you should navigate in macOS to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General and select Open Anyway beside the message "jason-2.6.3.jar" was blocked from use because it is not from an identified developer.

Typically most fields are filled automatically, but in some cases you may be required to manually enter values.

Ensure that the following fields are filled and correct:

• Jason > jason.jar location: /path/to/jason-2.6.3/libs/jason-2.6.3.jar
• Java Home > Directory: path to your Java home directory (e.g. /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk-19.jdk/Contents/Home/ on macOS)
• Ant libs > Directory: /path/to/jason-2.6.3/libs/
• JADE > jade.jar location: /path/to/jason-2.6.3/libs/jade-4.3.jar

Select Save configuration and Exit.

Eclipse

Step 4 - Download and install Eclipse

Eclipse is available to download from Eclipse Foundation.

As of February 2024, the latest version is Eclipse 2023-12.

Identify the appropriate Eclipse Installer package for your platform (e.g. x86_64 on Windows).

Download and run Eclipse Installer.

When prompted, choose Eclipse IDE for Java Developers.

Ensure that the newly installed version of Java SE is selected as the Java VM and choose an appropriate Installation Folder.

Note: Do not install Eclipse in a protected directory, which includes /Users/your_username/Downloads/ on macOS.

.

Select Install to complete the installation.

Note: If you are asked during installation whether to trust unsigned content, choose Select All and then Trust Selected.

Step 5 - Install the Jason plugin for Eclipse

Open Eclipse.

Choose a directory for your workspace and select Launch.

Select Help > Install New Software > Add.

Select Add... in the new window.

In the Name field enter jasonide and in the Location field enter the following URL:

https://seis.bristol.ac.uk/~km17304/jasonide_feature/

Select Add.

Unmark the checkbox labelled Group items by category.

Mark the checkbox beside Jasonide_feature and select Next.

Select Next again.

Accept the terms and select Finish.

Note: If you are asked during installation whether to trust unsigned content, choose Select All and then Trust Selected.

Select Restart Now.

Eclipse should now be open and ready for Jason development.

Test that it works

Step 6 - Create a new Jason project

Select File > New > Other > Jason > Jason Project from the Eclipse menu.

Select Next.

Enter hello_world in the Project name field and select Finish.

If you are prompted to open the project in Jason perspective, select Open Perspective.

A new Jason project will be created with a default directory structure and two auto-generated files: src/asl/sample_agent.asl and hello_world.mas2j.

Note: To see the new Jason project you may need to close the Welcome tab.

Step 7 - Run the Jason project

With the hello_world project in focus, select Run Jason Application in the Eclipse toolbar.

Note: There may be two identical buttons in the Eclipse toolbar; ensure that you select the button labelled Run Jason Application rather than the button labelled Run.

The above window should appear, which confirms that Jason is working correctly.

Step 8 - Terminate the Jason project

Select Stop at the bottom of the window.

Conclusion

You should now have a working installation of Jason ready to use for the rest of this tutorial series.

If you encountered issues during the installation and have been unable to resolve them yourself, please contact Kevin McAreavey via email or speak to a teaching assistant during one of the lab sessions.