Installing JFlap

Creating the necessary folder

Create a subfolder called ps10 within your cs111 folder.

Installing the necessary software

In PS 10, you will practice building finite state machines (FSMs) using a software simulator called JFlap.

You first need to install the Java runtime environment on your own machine. Here are the instructions for doing so:

• for Windows
• for MacOS

Next, download the following file, storing it in your ps10 folder:
JFLAP.jar

Finally, double-click on JFLAP.jar to run the program.

Dealing with JFlap issues on a Mac

If you have trouble getting JFlap to work on your Mac, you may need to take one or more of the following steps:

1. Install the Java runtime environment following the instructions provided above.

2. If you are unable to download JFlap.jar using Chrome, try using Safari instead.

3. If you are still having trouble after you switch to Safari, you may need to lower your security settings.

4. If you are unable to run JFLAP, try moving JFlap.jar to your Applications folder.

5. If you can’t save one of your .jff files to your Desktop, try saving it to a different folder.

6. If you can run JFLAP but can’t see any files when you use File->Open, try putting the ps10 folder in your Application Folder.

   If that doesn’t work, take the following steps:

   1. Find JavaLauncher in Finder.

      • Go to Finder -> Preferences.
      • Select the Hard disks checkbox under Show these items on the desktop:.
      • Go to your Desktop and double click ‘Macintosh HD’.
      • Click System -> Library -> CoreServices, and scroll down to find JavaLauncher

   2. Add JavaLauncher to the list of applications that have Full Disk Access.

      • Go to Apple Menu -> System Preferences -> Security & Privacy
      • Go to the Privacy tab and scroll till you find Full Disk Access
      • Click the lock in the bottom left corner to make changes.
      • Drag JavaLauncher from the Finder to the list of allowed apps.
      • Click the lock again to save the changes.

   3. Launch JFLAP like normal and you should be able to access the files.

   You can view a video illustrating the necessary steps. You can access it here: https://youtu.be/u71uMBja-No

7. If nothing else works, use JFLAP on the virtual desktop (see below).

Dealing with JFlap issues on a Windows machine

If you have trouble getting JFlap to work on your Windows machine, you may need to take one or more of the following steps:

1. Install the Java runtime environment following the instructions provided above.

2. If you cannot run the JFLAP.jar file even after installing Java, try taking the following steps;

   1. Open the command prompt (search for cmd in the search bar/start menu and hit Enter when you find it).

   2. Use the cd command to navigate to the folder in which the the .jar file was downloaded. In most cases, you can simply do the following:

      cd Downloads
      

   3. Enter the following command from the downloads folder:

      java -jar JFLAP.jar
      

3. If the size of the JFlap window is extremely small, you may need to temporarily lower your screen resolution to make JFlap larger.

4. If nothing else works, use JFLAP on the virtual desktop (see below).

Working on the virtual desktop

If you can’t get JFlap to work on your own computer, you can use it on the virtual desktop. Once you are in the virtual desktop, you should find a folder named JFLAP that contains the necessary program.

Last updated on September 8, 2024.