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<em>JavaWorld</em> News Briefs

Keeping you abreast of the ever-changing Java world

JavaWorld.com, 04/15/96

Microsoft announces "Jakarta" Java technologies

March 12 - Microsoft will ship in mid-1996 a set of Java-enabled technologies, dubbed "Jakarta," that appear to make Microsoft a major player in the Java vendor community.

Announced is Java support for Version 3.0 of the Microsoft Internet Explorer Web browser (the current alpha release of that version does not yet support Java). The browser will include a built-in just-in-time (JIT) compiler to improve execution performance. Also planned is an integrated development tool for Java, based on Microsoft's Developer Studio product line. Microsoft has committed to integrating the Java language with COM (common object model), Microsoft's standard for interoperation between object brokers and Microsoft's OLE.

Additionally, Microsoft signed a formal Java licensing agreement with Sun, and agreed to develop and maintain the Java reference implementation for all Windows products including NT. A Microsoft spokesman emphasized the importance of the COM connection; JavaSoft president Alan Baratz called the Microsoft commitment to Java "comprehensive." --Michael McCarthy

Borland releases graphical Java debugger, promises just-in-time compiler

A pre-release version of Borland's graphical debugger for Java applications is currently available for evaluation. The Borland Debugger, written entirely in Java, allows developers to easily set and remove breakpoints, step into Java functions, view variables, and even walk the call stack.

The debugger can be used to fix Java applet code locally or remotely across networks on any machine that hosts the Java virtual machine, ultimately offering true, platform-independent debugging. The debugger is among the first in a family of components called Latte, Borland's native Java visual development environment.

Borland's integrated development environment (IDE) fully integrates Sun's Java Development Kit. Borland adds significant value to the kit by letting programmers manage projects, edit code using a Java-syntax color-highlight editor, and then compile, test and debug.

In addition to the Debugger, Borland will soon release its AppAccelerator, a new just-in-time (JIT) compiler. With AppAccelerator, programmers using Windows 95/NT for Java development can achieve a five to 10-fold performance increase in Java applications and applets. Even greater increases in speed can be expected when executing computationally intensive code.

"Having just-in-time compilers for Java is essential for delivering high-performance, cross-platform execution," said Marc Andreessen, co-founder of Netscape. "We're excited about and supportive of Borland bringing this technology to market so quickly."

The AppAccelerator is scheduled to ship in the Borland C++ Development Suite later this quarter. Further, Borland is licensing the AppAccelerator to Web browser vendors and others to help speed up Java applications on a variety of hardware platforms.

Developers can download the pre-release Windows 95/NT version of the Borland Debugger at
http://www.borland.com/Product/java/debugger/downld.html. It expires on March 31. --Max Airborne

Macintosh Web developers still waiting for Java

March 13 -- While Web developers scramble to get in on the Java race, those on the Macintosh team are still stuck at the starting gate. The irony of the situation is apparent: while many of the pages you'll find on the Web were created on the Macintosh platform, Macintosh users can barely view or create Java applets without encountering a mire of bugs and headaches. Fortunately, there is some light at the end of the tunnel. Several companies have Java tools in various stages of development, however.

The release of JavaSoft's Java development kit for the Macintosh, currently in beta, is expected by the end of this quarter. Though the kit lacks an editor, a project manager, and a debugger, it's usable by Macintosh developers who aren't afraid of a command-line interface, and developers can view Java applets on the Web via the kit's AppletViewer, independent of their Web browser. The beta release requires a PowerPC processor, System 7.5, and 8 MB RAM, and can be downloaded from http://www.javasoft.com/JD K-1.0/Mac-Beta1/.

An early developer's release of Roaster, a Java development environment from Natural Intelligence Inc., is generating promising reports from developers. "With Roaster, I've found a complete Java development environment," said Sean Doyle of MIT's Laboratory for Computer Science, a seed tester of the developer's release. "It's the fastest Java tool I have used for prototyping, debugging, and delivering applets." A PowerMac version of the Roaster is available for 99, which includes updates through Release 2. Developers can order, download, and register Roaster DR 1.1 at http://www.natural.com /pages/products/roaster/. Natural Intelligence promises a version for Motorola 68k-based Macs soon, and is working on Roaster Professional, which will create standalone Java applications. Natural Intelligence has also announced its Java consulting division, which offers a variety of cross-platform Java development services.

Symantec (http://www.symantec.com) is about to release Caffeine, a free Java plug-in for users of Symantec C++. Caffeine will be available for the PowerMac from http://www.symantec.co m/lit/dev/javaindex.html. Those who don't already have Symantec C++ can purchase it for 49.95, which includes two updates. The first update will include Symantec Cafe, a full Java development environment with a debugger and class browser.

Metrowerks (http://www.metrowerks.com), makers of CodeWarrior, is promising a May 1996 developer's release of its Java tool suite, code-named Wired. --Max Airborne

JDBC API integrates Java with enterprise databases

March 8 -- JavaSoft has released a beta version of the JDBC API, a standard SQL database-access application programming interface that enables developers to write Java database applications. The API specification is now available at http://splash.javasoft.com/jdbc/ (where the JDBC driver manager jdbc.tar.Z file can be downloaded). The API is available for public review during a 90-day beta trial that will end June 8. Currently 82 pages in length, the API spec will, JavaSoft hopes, be frozen for official release in mid-June.