Java 1.2:

Using Java 1.2 helps simplify things enough to make it worth upgrading, if you aren't already using it. Many classes in Java 1.2 implement the Comparable interface automatically, for instance.

Not only do you need to get your hands on the Java 1.2 compiler, however. Most likely, you'll also need to configure your HTML page and install a Java plugin for your web browser.

To use Java 1.2, you need the following:

1. Java Development Kit (JDK) 1.2
2. Java 2 Run Time Environment 1.2
3. Java Plugin HTML Converter 1.2

Brief Description:

JDK 1.2 (aka Java 2 SDK v1.2) is used to compile the .java source files on your computer. (Note that if you're compiling on uhunix2, you'll need to use the javac2 and java2 commands to use Java 1.2.)

The Java Run Time Environment 1.2 Plugin is for your web browser to run Java 1.2 applets. Just download it and install it.

In order to use the browser plugin, you'll need the appropriate tag in your HTML page. That's what the HTML Converter is for. Initially, just put the regular <APPLET> tag on your page. Then, use the HTML Converter to convert your tag into the one necessary for the Java plugin.

The HTML Converter comes as a bunch of Java class files. You'll need to run the HTMLConverter class and give it your .html file as a parameter. I just threw my .html file into the same directory and entered something like:

C:\> java HTMLConverter gui.Applet.html

If successful, your web page will be all ready for Java 1.2. (Of course, you'll need to put the .html file back where it's supposed to be.)


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last update: 01/30/00