CIS 110 {{FULL_TERM}} - Visual X-TOY

The Visual X-TOY simulator is a Java program that runs on Mac, Windows, and Linux. With Java installed properly, you can simply click the link below and it will run. There is nothing to install and you always have access to the latest version.

In order to open and save files on your hard drive, X-TOY requires security permissions that Java does not normally grant to downloaded programs. X-TOY uses a mechanism called Java Web Start to obtain these permissions, and you may need to configure your system in order to use it. The instructions below will help you.

Windows Computers

• Click the Visual X-Toy Web Start link. If you are presented with a security dialog warning you of the security risks, confirm that you wish to run the program. You're good to go! Bookmark the link for next time.
• If your browser asks you which program to associate with .jnlp files (Java Web Start files), you have two options:
  1. When your browser prompts you to select an application to associate with .jnlp files, click Browse. In the Explorer dialog, select C:\Users\username\introcs\java\bin\javaws.exe (replace "username" with your logon on your computer). This is the version of Java Web Start installed by the introcs installer.
  2. Download and install the latest Java Development Kit (JDK) from java.oracle.com. This should install a working Java Web Start and associate .jnlp files with it. Restart your browser and try again.
• If neither of these options work, post details of the problem (with screenshots if possible), and your version of Windows to piazza. The exact problems that occur seem to vary from computer to computer and between Windows versions. We'll work with you to solve it and update these directions. In the meantime, you should be able to download and run the X-Toy Jar File directly. This version will not update automatically, but at least it should work...

Mac OS X Computers

• Click the Visual X-Toy Web Start link. If you are presented with a security dialog warning you of the security risks, confirm that you wish to run the program. You're good to go! Bookmark the link for next time.
• In Mountain Lion (10.8) and newer, if nothing happens or you receive a warning that the program was blocked because it is from an unidentified developer, check the Security & Privacy pane in the Control Panel. Under the General tab, click the padlock and enter your password to make changes. There may be a notice that toy-1.5.jnlp has been blocked because it wasn't written by an identified developer. You can authorize it specifically, and you should be able to run it from now on. Alternatively, check the button to allow apps downloaded from anywhere. This will allow you to run any program you download, with a small increase in the risk of Malware.
• If you receive a dialog saying that you must install a Java Virtual Machine, or if you your browser asks you what program to associate with .jnlp files, you need to download the latest Java Development Kit (JDK) from java.oracle.com. Recent versions of Mac OS X no longer include Java by default. Restart your browser and try again.
• If neither of these options work, post details of the problem (with screenshots if possible), and your version of Mac OS to piazza. The exact problems that occur seem to vary from computer to computer and between Mac OS versions. We'll work with you to solve it and update these directions.