Im very new to both Linux and java. Redhat 7.3 comes with two executables called j2re-1_3_1_03-linux-i386-rpm.bin
and j2sdk-1_3_1_03-linux-i386-rpm.bin

can one of you tell me where to write and run and view the results of a simple java program? whats the procedure? do I have to run both executables and write a program in that directory? Im confused can someone help?

I have no problem with doing c programs from the consol in Linux, but java is different.

You might try the tutorials over at java.sun.com. You might even consider the O'Reilly book on Java.

ok, first thing first, if you want to develop java programs (I see that you do), then you need to install j2sdk (the version you have a bit outdated, but it is ok, if you are just a beginer to Java). Open up an Xterm (Gnome Term, Konsole, etc)
Now run the .bin file (but before you do make sure it has executable bit set)
chmod 755 /path/to/j2sdk-1_3_1_03-linux-i386-rpm.bin
/path/to/j2sdk-1_3_1_03-linux-i386-rpm.bin
it will unpack java into a folder in your current dfirectory, after it is done you can move it to /usr/local for instance
mv j2sdk-1.3.1_03/ /usr/local/java
For this to work you need to be root or you must have enough priveleges to write into /usr/local
now you should setup your path to java executable
export PATH=$PATH:/usr/local/java/bin
to make the PATH permanent you need to include the following line into /etc/profile (if you want all the accounts to have PATH pointed to java) just insert
PATH=$PATH:/usr/local/java/bin
before the
export PATH OTHER_ENV_VARS
statement
and as a regular user run
. /etc/profile
It's dot followed by space followed by /etc/profile
so now when you as a regular user issue
java -version
it should return the version of java and VM.
have fun coding Java.

THANK YOU!!