Question: How do I compile and run a program in Java on my mac? 

I'm new.

Also I downloaded a program that was suggested to me on here called text wrangler if that has any bearing on the situation.

Answer: 
Compiling and running a Java application on Mac OSX, or any major operating system, is very easy. Apple includes a fully-functional Java runtime and development environment out-of-the-box with OSX, so all you have to do is write a Java program and use the built-in tools to compile and run it.

Writing Your First Program
--------------------------

The first step is writing a simple Java program. Open up a text editor (the built-in TextEdit app works fine), type in the following code, and save the file as "HelloWorld.java" in your home directory.

```
public class HelloWorld {
    public static void main(String args[]) {
        System.out.println("Hello World!");
    }
}

```

For example, if your username is David, save it as "/Users/David/HelloWorld.java". This simple program declares a single class called `HelloWorld`, with a single method called `main`. The `main` method is special in Java, because it is the method the Java runtime will attempt to call when you tell it to execute your program. Think of it as a starting point for your program. The `System.out.println()` method will print a line of text to the screen, "Hello World!" in this example.

Using the Compiler
------------------

Now that you have written a simple Java program, you need to compile it. Run the Terminal app, which is located in "Applications/Utilities/Terminal.app". Type the following commands into the terminal:

```
cd ~
javac HelloWorld.java

```

You just compiled your first Java application, albeit a simple one, on OSX. The process of compiling will produce a single file, called "HelloWorld.class". This file contains Java byte codes, which are the instructions that the Java Virtual Machine understands.

Running Your Program
--------------------

To run the program, type the following command in the terminal.

```
java HelloWorld

```

This command will start a Java Virtual Machine and attempt to load the class called `HelloWorld`. Once it loads that class, it will execute the `main` method I mentioned earlier. You should see "Hello World!" printed in the terminal window. That's all there is to it.

As a side note, TextWrangler is just a text editor for OSX and has no bearing on this situation. You can use it as your text editor in this example, but it is certainly not necessary.
I will give you steps to writing and compiling code.
Use this example:

```
 public class Paycheck {
    public static void main(String args[]) {
        double amountInAccount;
        amountInAccount = 128.57;
        System.out.print("You earned $");
        System.out.print(amountInAccount);
        System.out.println(" at work today.");
    }
}

```

1. Save the code as `Paycheck.java`
2. Go to terminal and type `cd Desktop`
3. Type `javac Paycheck.java`
4. Type `java Paycheck`
5. Enjoy your program!