README -- JDK(tm) Software, Version 1.2 Beta4

README

Java^(tm) Development Kit
JDK^(tm) Software Version 1.2 Beta 4

Introduction
System Requirements
Installing the Java Development Kit
Documentation

Introduction

Thank you for downloading this Beta release of the Java Development Kit, version 1.2. This JDK software allows you to create applets, applications, and other software that conforms to the Core API of the Java platform, version 1.2.

This Beta release is your opportunity to try new APIs and features in your software. We hope you will respond with comments, suggestions, and bug reports that will help us refine the 1.2 platform.

This release of the JDK software is available for Win32/x86, Solaris/SPARC, and Solaris/Intel systems. (For specific requirements for each systems, see System Requirements, below.) On each systems, JDK software includes tools useful for developing and testing programs written in the Java programming language and running on the Java 1.2 platform. These tools are designed to be used from the command line. Except for appletviewer, these tools do not provide a graphical user interface.

DISCLAIMER
This beta release is known to contain bugs. Do not rely on this software for production-quality applications or for mission-critical applications. Portions of the APIs for some new features have not been finalized and APIs may change. Some features are not fully implemented in this release.
The implementations of the new features in this beta release are still being tuned for performance. The software contains debugging and analysis hooks that degrade performance. These will be removed in the final release.

System Requirements

JDK 1.2Beta4 software comes in three releases:

Win32 Release for Windows 95, Windows NT 4.0 for Intel, and Windows 98. A 486/DX or faster processor and at least 32 megabytes of RAM are recommended.
Solaris/SPARC Release. Only Solaris versions 2.5.1 and 2.6 are supported. At least 64 megabytes of RAM is recommended.
Solaris/x86 Release. Only Solaris versions 2.5.1 and 2.6 are supported. A 486/DX or faster processor and at least 64 megabytes of RAM are recommended.

On all systems you should have 65 megabytes of free disk space before attempting to install JDK software. If you also install the separate documentation download bundle, you need an additional 85 megabytes of free disk space. After installation, the download packages are no longer needed, and each take up about 8 megabytes. You can reclaim an additional 15 megabytes by removing the class source code, the demos, and other options. The Win32 installer allows you to install the essential JDK software without installing the options.

Installing the Java Development Kit

Installation instructions for each release for are maintained on the Java Software web site:

For the Win32 release, go to http://java.sun.com/products/jdk/1.2/install-windows.html.
For the Solaris releases, go to http://java.sun.com/products/jdk/1.2/install-solaris.html.

After you've installed the JDK software, you may want to make additional configuration changes. For further information, refer to install.html in the docs directory.

Documentation

Except for this README file, all documentation files included with the Java Development Kit is installed in the docs directory. Here is a list of crucial documentation files:

install.html: Installation Notes.
overview.html: Overview of the Java Development Kit.
changes.html: Changes to the Java Development Kit.
bugs.html: Bugs and Incomplete Features in the Beta4 Release.
deploy.html: Deploying Java Applications.
tools.html: Development tools in the Java Development Kit. This file contains pointers to all the tool documentation files.

For additional information, refer to these Java Software pages on the World Wide Web:

http://java.sun.com/: The Java Software web site, with the latest information on Java technology, product information, news, and features.
http://java.sun.com/products/jdk/1.2/: The JDK 1.2 Software Product Page, with the latest product information and download links.
http://java.sun.com/products/jdk/1.2/docs/: The JDK 1.2 Software Documentation Page. Many of these documents can be downloaded for off-line browsing.
http://java.sun.com/products/jdk/1.2/compatibility.html: Compatibility issues for various versions of JDK software.
http://developer.java.sun.com/: The Java Developer Connection web site. (Free registration required.) Additional technical information, news, and features; user forums; support information, and much more.

The Java Development Kit is a product of Sun Microsystems^(tm), Inc. Java Software, part of Sun Microsystems, develops the JDK software.