This release of Java for Mac OS X fixes critical issues with Apple’s Java implementation. It features an enhanced version of Sun’s Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition Version 1.4.2_05.
Java 1.4.2 Update 2 provides improved behavior for applets in Safari and increased stability for desktop Java applications. Java 1.4.2 Update 2 also includes all the improvements from Java 1.4.2 Update 1, including compatibility with Sun’s Java 2 Platform Standard Edition, version 1.4.2_05. For general information about Java changes in Java 1.4.2_05, see Release Notes - Java 2 SDK, Standard Edition Version 1.4.2_05 at http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.4.2/ReleaseNotes.html.
Java 1.4.2 Update 2 is available only for Mac OS X version 10.3.4 (Panther) or later. It is not available for earlier versions of Mac OS X. Java 1.4.2 Update 2 is available through Mac OS X’s Software Update and online at http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/. Software Update displays this package as a recommended update.
Once you have installed Java 1.4.2 Update 2, the only way to revert back to a previous version of Java is to reinstall Mac OS X version 10.3 (Panther).
Apple does not provide a redistribution license for Java 1.4.2 Update 2. Your customers need to download it directly from Apple’s site.
As discussed in “Radar #3783095,” the developer tools and documentation have not been revised for this release. For the most recent developer tools and documentation, install the Java 1.4.2 Update 1 Developer Tools, available from the Apple Developer Connection at http://connect.apple.com/. It includes developer examples, tools, project templates, and Javadoc API references for both Sun’s and Apple’s classes. Although optional, this is a recommended update for anyone doing Java development for Mac OS X. You need to download this package to access the Java 1.4.2 documentation.
Any developer that currently distributes Java 1.4.2 applications for Mac OS X should read this document since the changes to Java 1.4.2 Update 2 may affect your application. Anyone interested in new Java development (either J2SE or Cocoa Java) should read this document for the most current information on new features and outstanding issues with Java on Mac OS X.
This document contains the following chapters:
“Resolved Issues” highlights a selection of high-visibility bugs that have been addressed in this release. This chapter is broken down by the category where the bug occurs and provides a brief description of what the issue was and how it was resolved.
“Outstanding Issues” presents a selection of high-visibility bugs that you may need to work around with this release. This chapter is broken down by the category where the bug occurs and provides a brief description of what the issue is and often provides a workaround for the issue.
This document also contains a revision history.
If you are just beginning Java development for Mac OS X you can probably just read the “Outstanding Issues” chapter. Otherwise it is recommended that Java developers read both chapters.
The Following Apple Java documentation may be helpful:
Java on Mac OS X Frequently Asked Questions (http://developer.apple.com/java/faq/)
Last updated: 2004-10-05
