# Send a message

 Note:
Before you can get started, you need to do the following:

- 
- [JDK 8](https://www.oracle.com/java/technologies/downloads/) or later and a familiarity with how to create a new Java application.
- [Gradle](https://gradle.org/install/) and a familiarity with how use the Gradle build tools.


Using the Conversation API, you can send messages to any channel you have configured. This tutorial shows you how to set up and send a message in a Java application using the Sinch Java SDK.

Steps:
1. [Set up](#set-up-your-java-application) your Java application
2. [Send](#send-your-first-message) your first message


## Set up your Java application

1. Create a new folder where you want to keep your app project. Then, open a terminal or command prompt to that location.
2. Create a new Java application using Gradle with the following command:

```shell
gradle init
```
In the prompts, select that you want to create an application, name your project and source package `app`, and then accept the defaults for the rest of the options.


### Add the Sinch Java SDK

1. In your project folder, navigate to the `/app` folder and open the `build.gradle` file.
2. In the `dependencies` section, add the following line:

```shell
implementation "com.sinch.sdk:java-sdk:+"
```
This adds the Sinch Java SDK to your project.
3. Save and close the file.


### Modify your application

1. Open the `App.java` file in your project folder, located in `\app\scr\main\java\app`. Populate that file with the "App.java" code found on this page and save the file. This code sends a [text message](/docs/conversation/message-types/text-message/).

This sample application is configured for the US Region. If your Conversation API app wasn't created in the US region, you must change the `Region.US` parameter to `Region.EU`.
2. Assign your values to the following parameters:
ParameterYour valueAPP_IDFind your app ID on your Sinch [dashboard](https://dashboard.sinch.com/convapi/apps).ACCESS_KEYFind your access key on your Sinch [dashboard](https://dashboard.sinch.com/settings/access-keys).ACCESS_SECRET
     Find your access secret on your Sinch [dashboard](https://dashboard.sinch.com/settings/access-keys).Note:Access secrets are only available during initial key creation.PROJECT_IDFind your project ID on your Sinch [dashboard](https://dashboard.sinch.com/settings/project-management).CHANNELThe channel you want to use to send the message. Available channels are configured for the app on your Sinch [dashboard](https://dashboard.sinch.com/settings/access-keys). This guide assumes you've started with an SMS channel, but you can use any channel configured for your app:
     SMSMESSENGERMMSRCSWHATSAPPVIBERVIBERBMINSTAGRAMTELEGRAMKAKAOTALKIDENTITYThe ID of the contact to which you want to send the message.
3. Save the file.


## Send your first message

Now you can execute the code and send your test message. Run the following command:


```shell
gradle run
```

You should receive a message in your configured messaging platform.

## Next steps

Now that you know how to send a message, next learn how to [handle an incoming message](/docs/conversation/getting-started/java/incoming-message).

## Additional resources

Read the links below to learn more:

- [Learn how to handle incoming messages](/docs/conversation/getting-started/java/incoming-message)
- [Learn more about different message types](/docs/conversation/message-types)
- [Learn more about channels](/docs/conversation/channel-support)
- [API specification](/docs/conversation/api-reference/)