Picking a Path Based on Which API You Use

The next steps for setting up your development environment depend on which Salesforce API you want to use.

To use SOAP API or CRUD-based Metadata API, or any other WSDL-based Salesforce API, complete the steps in the following tasks.

Install the Web Services Connector (WSDL-Based APIs)
Download Developer WSDL Files (WSDL-Based APIs)
Generating Java Stub Files (WSDL-Based APIs)
Verify the WSDL Environment (WSDL-Based APIs)

To use REST API, Bulk API, Connect REST API, or any other REST-based Salesforce API, complete the steps in the following tasks.

Installing HttpClient and JSON Frameworks (REST-Based APIs)
Setting Up External Client App Access (REST-Based APIs)
Verify the REST Environment (REST-Based APIs)

Tooling API provides both SOAP and REST-based interfaces, so depending on your needs, you can set up your environment by using one of the paths above.

Streaming API requires installing additional Java frameworks for supporting push technology. See Example: Subscribe to and Replay Events Using a Java Client (EMP Connector) in the Force.com Streaming API Developer’s Guide.