Download and install AEM Guides for the first time | AEM Development Environment

 Setting Up an AEM Development Environment: A Quick Tutorial

Are you ready to dive into Adobe Experience Manager (AEM) development but unsure where to start? Setting up your development environment correctly is the first step to building powerful and scalable content management solutions. In this guide, we will walk you through the essential steps to set up an AEM development environment, with tips to ensure a smooth process.Download and install AEM Guides for the first time

Why AEM?

AEM is a leading content management system used by enterprises worldwide for its scalability, flexibility, and integration capabilities. Whether you’re creating multilingual websites or managing digital assets, AEM provides robust tools to meet your needs.

Step 1: Check System Requirements

Before installing AEM, ensure your system meets the following requirements:

• Java Development Kit (JDK): AEM requires Java 8 or 11 (depending on the version you’re using).
• Memory: At least 8 GB of RAM is recommended.
• Disk Space: Minimum of 10 GB of free space for the AEM installation.
• Operating System: Compatible with Windows, macOS, or Linux.

Tip: Use Adobe’s official documentation to verify the compatibility of your system.

Step 2: Install Java

AEM requires a compatible JDK to run. Follow these steps:

1. Download Java from Oracle’s official website.

2. Install the JDK and set the JAVA_HOME environment variable.

Command to verify Java installation: 

java --version

Step 3: Install Apache Maven

AEM requires Apache Maven. Follow these steps:

1. Download Maven from the Apache Site.

2. There is no need to install Maven. Simply extract the Maven folder, move the extracted folder to the Program Files directory on your Windows drive, and configure the environment variables.

Command to verify mvn installation: 

mvn --version

 

Step 3: Download AEM

1. Log in to the Adobe Software Distribution portal with your Adobe ID.

2. Download the required version of the AEM jar file (e.g., aem-author-p4502.jar).

3. Obtain the license.properties file provided by Adobe.

Step 4: Run the AEM Jar File

1. Place the aem-author-p4502.jar file and the license.properties file in the same folder.keep the same name of jar file as written here,

2. Note: If you rename the file to something like aem-author-p4502.jar, it will run as an Author instance. Similarly, renaming the file to aem-publish-p4503.jar will make it run as a Publish instance.

3. Open the terminal or command prompt and navigate to the folder.

4. Run the following command:

java -jar aem-author-p4502.jar

 

Step 5: Access AEM

Once installed, AEM runs on localhost:4502 by default.

• Open a browser and navigate to http://localhost:4502.
• Log in using the default credentials:
• Username: admin
• Password: admin

Optional: Change the default password immediately to secure your instance.

Troubleshooting Tips (optional)

• AEM doesn’t start? Check your JAVA_HOME and ensure Java is correctly installed.
• Memory issues? Increase the heap size by editing the startup parameters:

java -Xmx4096m -jar aem-author-p4502.jar

• Login problems? Reset the admin password via the repository.

Conclusion

Setting up an AEM development environment may seem complex, but following these steps will get you up and running quickly. AEM offers immense flexibility for building enterprise-level solutions, and with the right tools and practices, you’ll be ready to create powerful applications in no time.

Feel free to leave a comment if you need any further assistance.