Downloading

Although CAST can be used directly from the ?????? web site, we encourage users to download CAST and run it from a local hard disk.

Even more important is that the interactive and dynamic diagrams that are a core part of CAST are currently not supported by some web browsers and will eventually stop working in others.

Downloading and installing

This customised collection of CAST e-books is provided as a compressed 'zip' file. Clicking this link downloads a file called "cast_installer.zip". You should now copy this file from your default Downloads folder to where you want CAST to be installed — your Desktop may be the most convenient place.

How to extract CAST from this file depends on your operating system.

Windows
Right-click the zip file then select the command Extract all from the popup menu that appears. You will be asked where you want CAST installed. This creates a folder called CAST on your hard disk containing all of CAST. (Note that simply double-clicking the zip file will show you the files that are in it, but will not extract them in a form that allows CAST to be used — you must use the Extract all command.)
Macintosh
On a Mac, simply double-click the zip file; CAST will be expanded into a folder called CAST in the same location as the zip file.

In both cases, you will be left with a folder called CAST on your hard disk. The zip file itself can now be deleted.

Running CAST from a downloaded copy

At the top level of your installed CAST folder, you should see a file called "collection_XXXXX.html". Double-clicking this displays a window containing the XXXXX version of CAST.

Java

You will need to install Java support on your computer, both to run the stand-alone version of CAST and also to get access to the interactive diagrams in the browser-based version.You should go to Oracle's main Java web site and make sure that you have the most recent version of Java installed.

Running CAST from a downloaded copy

At the top level of your installed CAST folder, you should see a file called "Start_CAST.jar". If Java support has been installed, double-clicking this file should start the stand-alone version CAST.

If you want to keep using the browser-based version of CAST (not recommended), you can double-click the file called "collection_XXXX.html"; this should show this version of CAST in your default browser. (It will be identical to the window that you are currently viewing unless it is a newer release of CAST).