Chapter 1 Introducing Java Plug-in 1.2

This chapter includes the following information:

• "Overview"

• "What's New in Java Plug-in 1.2"

• "Features and Benefits"

• "Product Limitations"

• "Requirements"

Overview

Although Sun Microsystems continues to release new versions of Java through its Java Development Kit (JDK^TM), the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) included with Netscape Navigator remains at version 1.1.5. Java Plug-in for Solaris bridges this gap by utilizing Navigator's plug-in architecture to distribute the latest JRE to Navigator users. Java Plug-in 1.2 provides support for JRE 1.2.1_03 with Netscape Navigator 4.05 or compatible. For more information on system requirements, see "Requirements".

To invoke Java Plug-in, you include the HTML <EMBED> tag in your Web pages. When Navigator encounters the <EMBED> tag, it loads Java Plug-in and runs Java applets, JavaBeans, and other components using all the features of the "external" JRE included with Java Plug-in.

For more information on updating your Web pages to work with Java Plug-in, refer to the HTML Specification. In addition, you can download the Java Plug-in 1.2 HTML Converter free of charge, which automatically makes the necessary changes.

What's New in Java Plug-in 1.2

Java Plug-in 1.2 has the following new features:

• Tailored specifically for Netscape Navigator running on Solaris^TMplatforms. Other Java Plug-ins, available from Sun's Java Software group, are developed for use with Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator running on Microsoft Windows platforms.

• Includes the latest Production release of the JRE tuned for Solaris (JRE 1.2.1_03). Other versions of Java Plug-in do not include a JRE.

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  Note -

  Sun does not support the use of any JRE prior to 1.2.1_03 with Java Plug-in 1.2.

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• Installs at the system level by default, so you can install the plug-in on a centrally-located server and all users can access the plug-in over NFS.

• Can coexist on the same machine with Java Plug-in 1.1.2 (in different locations). With other versions, you can only install one Java Plug-in on your machine.

• Uses native threads. Java Plug-ins available from Java Software use green threads. See the Java White Paper for more information on Java multi-threading.

• Prints applets. You can now print applets with Netscape versions 4.5 or compatible.

Features and Benefits

Java Plug-in 1.2 includes the following features and benefits:

• Full JDK 1.2 support -- Enables you to develop and deploy applets, taking full advantage of JDK 1.2 features and functionality such as the security model, Remote Method Invocation (RMI), JavaBeans, signed applets, and the Java Native Interface (JNI).

• Full Java Compatibility Kit (JCK) test suite compliance -- JRE 1.2.1_03 is fully compliant with the JCK test suite.

• Future-ready JDK architecture -- Java Plug-in's architecture makes it easy for Sun to provide new JDK features and functionality to Solaris desktops more quickly than ever before.

• Full proxy support -- Provides full support for both manual and automatic proxy configuration in Navigator. Supports HTTPS (SSL), FTP, and Gopher protocols.

• Java Foundation Classes (JFC) 1.1 support -- Supports Java Foundation Classes 1.1, including the Swing GUI components.

• Updated Java Plug-in Control Panel -- Includes an updated Java Plug-in Control Panel, written using JFC 1.1.

Product Limitations

Java Plug-in 1.2 does not support the following:

• The SOCKS protocol

• The JDK debug interface

• Applet scripting

Requirements

Following are the components necessary for using Java Plug-in 1.2.

• Netscape Browser -- At the minimum, Netscape Communicator for Solaris 4.05.

• JRE -- Java Plug-in 1.2 defaults to JRE 1.2.1_03. Sun does not support the use of any JRE less than 1.2.1_03 with Java Plug-in 1.2.

• Updated HTML -- You must modify your Web pages with the <EMBED> tag to invoke Java Plug-in 1.2, even if you modified these pages to work with a previous version of Java Plug-in. You must modify the original, unconverted HTML. Refer to the HTML Specification for more information on updating your Web pages with the <EMBED> tag. In addition, you can download the Java Plug-in 1.2 HTML Converter free of charge, which automatically makes the necessary changes.

• Network -- A direct LAN (Ethernet) connection with high-speed Internet connection, or dial-up modem running 28.8 baud or faster.