Java 1.2 for the Apple Macintosh

Teach Yourself Java 1.2 in 21 Days was written using a Windows 95 system, as indicated from the screen captures in the book. Some suggestions are directed specifically toward users of that operating system and Windows 98.

However, the book wasn't written strictly for Windows users. Because Java is a cross-platform language, any Java development tool that fully supports Java 1.2 can be used to create, compile, and run the example programs in the book.

Right now, I am not aware of any free or pay Java development tools for the Mac that support Java 1.2. My guess is that the first free tool will be Apple's Mac Runtime for Java Software Development Kit and the first pay tools will be MetroWerks Codewarrior.

STATUS OF 1.2 DEVELOPMENT ON THE MAC

Here's a rundown of Java 1.2 Mac availability:

• Mac Runtime for Java Software Development Kit currently supports Java 1.1.3, and an early access beta release supports Java 1.1.6. Java 1.1 support from Apple was released one year after the language was first available, so it might be awhile before Apple has a free product that supports Java 1.2.
• MetroWerks CodeWarrior Professional 4, an integrated development environment that enables programmers to work with Java, C, C++ and other languages, will support JDK 1.2 for the compiler and Java 1.1.6, according to a company representative.

If you're using Java 1.2 tools for the Mac or can update information on this page, please let me know. I hear from numerous Mac readers who would like to use Teach Yourself Java 1.2 in 21 Days to its fullest, and I'd like to keep this page as current as possible.