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JDK 1.2 Roadmap: All Things New with JDK 1.2
Monica Pawlan
(March 1998)
The Java Development Kit (JDKTM) 1.2
is packed full of new features and functionality. In addition to a
strong runtime security model, JDK 1.2 contains many new or enhanced
tools and application programming interfaces (APIs). JDK 1.2 is designed
to give you increased power and capabilities for creating
robust enterprise JavaTM programs.
This article presents an overview of JDK 1.2, takes a look at upcoming extensions, and provides links
so you can find more information on JDK 1.2.
What You Get When You Download JDK 1.2
You get the same kinds of things with JDK 1.2 as you did
with prior JDK releases--just a lot more of everything!
- Java1 Virtual Machine (JVM) and core Java API class libraries
- Core source code for the Java API libraries
- Developer and administrative tools
- Demos showing the new JDK 1.2 features
- C header files to extend the core platform with C native methods
Although demos and C native methods are not covered in this
article, you can download JDK 1.2 and run the demos yourself
to see them in action.
Java Virtual Machine
The Java Virtual Machine (JVM) is a platform-independent abstract computing
machine and execution environment. Programs written in the Java language using
the Java API libraries execute in the JVM. With JDK 1.2, the JVM has a strong
security architecture
to prevent applets and applications from executing outside their
secure environment or sandbox.
Java API Libraries
Java API libraries consist of the core libraries and standard extensions.
The Java Foundation Classes (JFC) and the other API libraries listed below
comprise the core Java APIs and provide a basic platform for writing
enterprise Java Programs.
Licensees
are required to adopt all core platform packages. Licensees are
individuals or companies who take the Java original equipment manufacturer
(OEM) source code and merge it into a commercial product by adapting
the platform-dependent portions of the licensed source code to their platform.
The core source code is provided for your information and use
when using the JDK 1.2 API libraries to write Java programs.
The source code is for reference only; it cannot be compiled.
JFC Class Libraries.
The Java Foundation classes (JFC) extend the original Abstract Windowing
toolkit (AWT) by adding a comprehensive set of graphical user interface (GUI)
class libraries and services. JFC 1.1 is compatible with JDK 1.1 and JDK 1.2,
and includes Swing, Accessibility, Drag and Drop, and Java 2D.
Swing components let you customize the look and feel of an application
without relying on the native windowing system, and provide a
pluggable look and feel so you can design your application to let
users change the presentation of the data (from visual to audio, for
example) without having to restart their applications.
Accessibility classes support assistive technologies such as screen
readers, screen magnifiers, and speech recognition devices
that can interact with the JFC and AWT components. Drag and Drop
enables the transfer of data between Java and non-Java programs.
Java 2D provides a wide-range of 2D functionality for designing
interesting and more usable user interfaces handling
color, processing images, addressing multilingual requirements, and
using sytlized text.
Visit the JFC page and
Swing Connection
for more information.
Core API Libraries.
This list shows the new or enhanced JDK 1.2 core API libraries. See
JDK 1.2 Roadmap: New Features and Functionality for an
overview of new features and functionality in JDK 1.2.
- Performance enhancements
- Security enhancements
- Java Foundation Classes (JFC) enhancements
- Swing enhancments
- GUI Components and Services (JFC)
- Pluggable Look and Feel
- Accessibility
- Drag and Drop
- Java 2D (JFC)
- JDBCTM enhancements
- Java Interface Definition Language (IDL)
- JavaBeansTM enhancements
- Audio enhancements
- Internationalization
- Input Method Framework
- Remote Method Invocation (RMI) enhancements
- Serialization enhancements
- Collections enhancements
- Reference Objects
- Reflection enhancements
- Java Native Interface (JNI) enhancements
- Java Extensions Framework
- Java ARchive (JAR) enhancements
- Package Version Identification
- New Debugger Interface
Standard Extensions.
Java APIs that enable vertical solutions such as smart card or collaboration
applications are available as standard extensions. Extensions are packages of
Java classes (and any associated native code) that application developers can
use to extend the functionality of the core platform. Some standard extensions
are licensed while some are not, and some standard extensions come with the
JDK download while others are available in a separate download. Licensees
who license the core APIs are not required to license or adopt any standard
extensions regardless of their inclusion in the JDK download.
Extensions available by separate download require the JDK.
Visit the
Java Extensions FAQ for more information on extensions and a partial list
of current and proposed extensions.
The JDK 1.2 final release will include all core API packages. In the meantime,
you can download early releases of the JDK, JFC, extensions, and other JavaSoft
products from the JDC early access
page as they become available.
Developer and Administrative Tools
With JDK 1.2 you get a full array of software development and
administration tools. New tools like keytool and jarsigner
support the new JDK 1.2
security architecture,
while other tools introduced in earlier JDK releases have been enhanced.
Visit the JDK 1.2
Tools
page for a full list of tools and descriptions.
Java Runtime Environment
The Java Runtime Environment (JRE) consists of the Java Virtual Machine (JVM)
core API libraries, and other supporting files. It is the runtime part of
the JDK with no compiler, debugger, or tools. The JRE is the smallest
set of executables and files that constitute the standard Java platform.
If you have the JDK, you do not need the JRE to run Java programs. However,
you can download the JRE to bundle with applications that might run on systems
that do not have the JDK or JRE already installed.
JRE 1.2 has the same
security architecture as JDK 1.2.
Licensees can license the Java Application Environment (JAE), which is
the JRE source code, to adapt the JRE to their product.
Conclusion
JDK 1.2 brings greater security, new and enhanced core API libraries,
standard extensions, and a wide range of development and administration tools.
Not to mention demos and C header files.
Why wait? JDK 1.2 gives you everything you need for developing enterprise-quality
Java programs today.
Related Links
Download the early access release of JDK 1.2, extensions, and other products
from the JDC early access
page, and learn about licensing Java from the
Licensees
page.
The Java Tutorial:
Object-Oriented Programming for the Internet
Tools and Extensions:
JFC:
Related JDC articles:
JDK 1.2 API Pages:
Monica Pawlan,
a staff writer for the Java Developer
ConnectionSM (JDC), is
author of Essentials of the Java Programming Language: A Hands-On
Guide (Addison-Wesley, 2000), and co-author of Advanced Programming
for the Java 2 Platform (Addison-Wesley, 2000).
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1 As used on this web site,
the terms "Java virtual
machine" or "JVM" mean a virtual machine
for the Java platform.