Java (tm) at Rutgers-Camden
Computing Services Information Document	Java

Currently, Java(tm) is not supported in the versions of Netscape in use on our lab PCs or Macs. The only Java-enabled browser available is Netscape on the Suns. Eventually, Netscape may add support for Java to other versions of their software, but that is beyond our control. If you are using a web browser on your computer at home, please refer to its documentation to determine if it supports java. Netscape 2.0x (and higher) for all machines does support something called Javascript...but that is NOT the Java programming language.

Javascript is a scripting language developed by Netscape. It can not be compiled into a standalone application. In fact, it doesn't need any kind of compilation at all. It was developed by Netscape and can only be run from within the Netscape browser. Whereas Java is a programming language that requires prior programming experience in order to be useful, Javascript is considerably easier for the non-programmer to learn and make use of. Javascripts are written within the HTML file from which they will be run. For more information on Javascript, visit the JavaScript 411 web page.

Java is an object-oriented language that was created by Sun Microsystems, Inc. It is similar in appearance to C++, and programs for web pages (known as applets) written in Java can be run on any machine that has a Java-enabled browser. The Java applets are written outside of an HTML file and saved with the extension .java. The Java compiler (javac) is then run to compile the source code into a .class file. After compilation, it is possible to link your Java applet via an applet "tag", directly into a web page. In addition, Java code can be compiled into standalone applications.

Compilation of Java code into a standalone program is not necessary in order to run an applet via a web browser. Any Java-enabled web browser will execute applet code that has been successfully compiled into a .class file. In addition, there is a program named appletviewer, that is part of the Java Developers Kit(JDK), that can be used to run and debug Java applets. The JDK is currently available to users with accounts on clam, crab, and carp. Instructions on setting up your shell to use the JDK are available in the README.CAMDEN file. (Either follow the link to it above, or type:
more /usr/local/java/README.CAMDEN at your shell prompt.) All Java info on clam and crab, can be found in the directory /usr/local/java and /usr/local/javaIDL . You will find README files, docs, examples, and other information in these areas.

The Java Developers Kit

The Java Developer's Kit (JDK) is installed here at Rutgers-Camden via a system called track. This means that when the Track staff in New Brunswick have finished testing a new version, it will automatically be installed here on clam, crab, and carp. Please read the README file for information about what version of the JDK is currently installed. As of 7/24/97 Rutgers-Camden has version 1.1.1 of the JDK.

The JDK helps you to:
---------------------
        - Develop applets that conform to the final applet API
        - Create applets that run in all Java-enabled browsers
        - Develop Java applications
        - Experiment with the debugger API (and a prototype
          command-line debugger)

----------------------------------------------------------------------
IMPORTANT: Please make sure you understand the Copyright and License
information (in the file named COPYRIGHT) before using this release.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

These next two links are important...the first one is the original README document, which portions of this page were constructed from. The second link is to the COPYRIGHT document, which anyone using the Java Developer's Kit (JDK) should read.

• Forte for Java
• JDK Main Page
• The Java FAQ
  A Question and Answer document on Java.
• The Java Tutorial
  Web version of the book The Java Tutorial
• API Online Documentation
  The API manual.
• Debugger Documentation
  IInformation on the debugger and its API.