java.sun.com
This is the most official and important java site.
The site has a wide range of information about Java. However, not all information is important for a general developer. So, I make a list of highlights here:
- Java
Runtime Environment (JRE), Java
Development Kit (JDK) -- for
download only
If you want to run Java Applications, you need one of above packages. If you want to write a Java Application, you need a JDK (or another Java Programming Package such as IBM's Visual age for Java, Sun's Java Workshop, etc.)
- Java
API document -- browse or download
It is the most important document for programming in Java. It contains the specification of the entire API and its classes and its methods in Java's core API.
- Java
Class Library -- browse and
download
The Java API document gives you only the specification. But, what if you want some explanations and examples? Here you are: the Book, Java Class Library, gives you just what you want. It features 600+ of examples and explanations covering most of the core Java API. However, only the examples are available for browse or download. If you want more, you need to buy the book.
- Java
Language Specification -- browse or download
If you are an intermediate Java programmer, you would like to have a look at it.
It is the definitive reference for the Java programming language, not yet updated for JDK 1.1, however. But, since the language specification changed slightly since Java 1.0. It is still very useful.
- Other
Java Documents and Books
One of the good thing about Sun is that it prvoides a lot of resources for free to end users and developers.
- Java
Tutorial from SunSoft -- browse and
download
It is a very good tutorial for a java beginner.
- Java 1.2
beta, Java Foundation Class (JFC), Swing
Swing is a part of Java Foundation Class. And, Java Foundation Class is a part of Java 1.2.
Swing is a new set of Java AWT widgets which are independent from the platform. For example, you can have Motif's look and feel application run on your Windows 95 machine. And, most of its widgets are even more powerful than windows 95/NT's counter parts. However, response times are noticeably slower than the current AWT.
Java Foundation Class contains swing and much more, such as Java 2D, Drag and Drop Support.
Java 1.2 contains the JFC and major improvements of classes in the other core packages.
