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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.


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[ This page was updated: 27-Sep-2000 ]
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