== Semi-Stable Version ==
The latest semi-stable version is always here: http://josm.openstreetmap.de/download/josm-tested.jar - we don't call it a "release" because while it is more robust than the nightly build, it doesn't usually run through as many checks as a release would. It is updated approximately once a week.

== Nightly Builds ==
You can always grab the latest nightly build from http://josm.openstreetmap.de/download/josm-latest.jar. Many users actually use this for their daily work.

== Getting the Source ==
JOSM is available under GPL, and so of course you can get the sources and compile, modify or redistribute it by yourself. You can grab the sources via [http://subversion.tigris.org subversion]

 svn co http://josm.openstreetmap.de/svn/trunk josm

Or you can inspect single files over the web frontend at http://josm.openstreetmap.de/svn.

== Compiling ==
=== Using ant ===
The easiest way to compile JOSM provided Java on your machine is properly set up is to go to the josm directory and type:

{{{
 ant
}}}

That will create a `dist/josm-custom.jar` file if successful.

=== Using eclipse ===

Use eclipse and the provided `.project` and `.classpath` file. Just add a new Java Project using the JOSM source folder as existing path.

=== Using javac ===

You can also build josm without ant or eclipse. To do so, change into the `src/` folder and call `javac` on the file `org/openstreetmap/josm/Main` with all libs from `../lib/*.jar` in your classpath (you have to specify all subsequent). If running linux, be sure to have your `JAVA_HOME` set. 

As example, this could look like:
{{{
 $ cd ~/src
 $ svn co http://josm.openstreetmap.de/svn josm
 ''tons of output here''
 $ export JAVA_HOME=/usr/local/jdk1.5.0
 $ cd josm/src
 $ javac -cp .:../lib/MinML2.jar:../lib/metadata-extractor-2.3.1.jar:../lib/gettext-common-0.9.jar org/openstreetmap/josm/gui/MainApplication.java
}}}

== Running ==
=== Microsoft Windows ===
Double clicking on the jar file. 

If this does not help, you probably need to install [http://java.sun.com Java]

If you want to be able to handle more points in JOSM you can create a shortcut like the following example:
{{{
C:\WINNT\system32\java.exe -jar -Xmx512M "C:\PATH-TO-JOSM\josm-latest.jar"
}}}

=== Linux / *BSD ===

 '''using the shell'''::
  Go to the directory where the josm-latest.jar is and type
{{{
#!sh
java -jar josm-latest.jar
}}}
  to launch. Replace `''josm-latest.jar''` with the name of the jar file you loaded, e.G. `josm.jar` for releases.

  If this doesn't help, try to set you JAVA_HOME variable to the java location (the root location, not the bin. As example:
{{{
#!sh
 export JAVA_HOME=/usr/lib/sun-j2se5.0-jdk
 java -jar ''josm.jar''
}}}

 '''KDE'''::
  There is a [http://josm.openstreetmap.de/download/tutorials/setting_up_kde.avi tutorial] on how to setup your environment to start jar-files by clicking on them.

 '''GNOME'''::
  Right click on the JAR file, and select __O__pen with "Sun Java 5.0 Runtime", or whatever java version you have.

 '''XGL/Compiz'''::
  Type this into a shell:
{{{
#!sh
export AWT_TOOLKIT=MToolkit && java -jar josm-test.jar
}}}
  as described here: http://kubasik.net/blog/index.php/2006/06/19/java-sun-150-and-xglcompiz-on-ubuntu/

=== MacOS ===
1.) If you have downloaded "josm-latest.jar" you can start JOSM by clicking on the josm-latest.jar file in the MacOS Finder (you might get the warning that you are about to open a file from the internet - just accept).

This way to start JOSM should be sufficient in most cases.

2.) However, if you need to start it up with additional Java parameter(s) (e.g. -Xmx512M) you can also use the MacOS "Terminal" and start JOSM (Java) manually:

Start the "Terminal" application (e.g. by typing "Terminal" into the Spotlight search)

Now you have two options:

a.) type in the following command and press "Enter" to start JOSM without any special java options (simply starts up JOSM like under point 1):
{{{
java -jar FOLDER/josm-latest.jar
}}}
Whereas "FOLDER" should be replaced by the name of the folder you have josm-latest.jar downloaded to. If you have downloaded it to the standard MacOS "Download" Folder it would look like:
{{{
java -jar Download/josm-latest.jar

}}}

b.) to use additional java options just add them right after "java" 

If you for example have experienced the "Out of memory" warning (e.g. trying to load geo-tagged photos to JOSM) you would start JOSM like this:
{{{
java -Xmx256M -jar FOLDER/josm-latest.jar
}}}

This would allow JOSM to use up to 256 MB of RAM (memory). The java option "-Xmx256M" set's the maximum Java heap size to 265 MB. You are free to replace -Xmx256M by any number appropriate for your system (e.g. -Xmx512M or even -Xmx1024M).

By the way. To get an overview of all Java start options you can type in:

{{{
java -help
}}}