The End
This is it. No more and it unlikely I will update it unless there glaring errors(probably).
Topics not discussed
- Audio/Sound
- Advanced graphics(i.e double buffering techniques, 3D algorithms, etc)
- Advanced networking(i.e stream buffering, non-TCP/IP communication)
- Intermediate/Advanced applet programming. Not even applet parameters
was discussed here.
- Peers and the underlying architecture of each GUI Java runs on.
- Certain AWT classes such as Inset, Dimension, MediaTracker, etc.
And most importantly the Java language. In fact
you should probably print the beast, the language spec, and read it right through. No part of the Java
language was to be undefined, therefore the specification pretty much covers
all the technical details of the language. Ok, so it's not K&R nor
Stroustrup(good!) and lacks the examples the above have.
Tools
Tools for Java and the AWT.
- JDK
- JavaMaker
- Symantec Cafe
- AppletGen
- jev
- yassl
- Diva(was JavaSide)
- Borland's C++ 5.0(coming soon)
- Natural Intelligence's Roadster(here now)
- Metrowerks CodeWarrior for Java(coming soon)
Oh BTW I am part of a book project now :-)
Related issues
JavaScript, the new language being promoted by a slew of companies and that
once was called LiveScript will take over some task Java applets are
being used for. But Java will always have its place as the
multi-threaded, OO, dynamic language of choice. :-)
My JavaScript Test page
Stuff Java/AWT/Applets are unsuited for
- Simple forms that could be done with HTML Forms.
- Fast animation without native libraries.
- Large scale development without tools at the moment
- Quick and dirty text-based programs.
- Stand-alone applications for now. Since there is no native compiler and the fact is, AWT gives a lot up
for the sake of portability. Commercial applications written in Java without native methods may not be able to compete with other applications on the market.
This is where JavaScript and Netscape plug-ins can possibly fill the void. JavaScript is changing rapidly, faster than Java. Last time I wrote something for JavaScript, the next week Netscape added a whole bunch
of features. Go to the Netscape Home Page
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Nelson Yu
nelson@cs.ualberta.ca
Last modified: Feb 21 1996