In April 2008, IBM lists three versions, in 31-bit and 64-bit forms.
• SDS VIP works with SDK 1.4.2 and SDK5, 31-bit or 64-bit.
VIP is not tested with the IBM SDK6.
To run the SDK 1.4.2 on z/OS 1.6 or older, consult the
IBM web site
regarding the prerequisite maintenance.
• SDS SFM works best with the 31-bit SDSK5.
It will also work with the SDK1.4.2.
SFM is not tested with the IBM SDK6.
SFM will not work with the 64-bit IBM SDKs.
As of October 2007, SDS VIP and SFM require one of the following versions of the SDK and JRE:
• 1.4.2_13 or later
• 5.0 update 9, also called 1.5.0_09 or later
• 6 or later, also called 1.6
For Windows Vista platforms, Sun recommends JRE 1.6.*. Versions 1.5.* or 1.4.* may work, but results are unpredictable.
Versions prior to those listed above do not recognize the current U.S. daylight savings calendar, among other problems.
To download something other than the latest version of Java tools, see Sun's product archive.
If your IE can't download *.bin files, try Firefox or Netscape.
Glossary:
J2SE and Java SE refer to the Standard Edition, which is adequate for SDS products. J2EE means Enterprise Edition, a larger package than necessary for SDS products.
JDK, SDK, and J2SDK refer to a Java Software Development Kit. A JDK is necessary for compiling Java source code and for running SDS's VIP and SFM servers.
JRE, Java Runtime Environment, Java Runtime Engine, and Java plug-in all refer to an application that enables web browsers to run Java applets. A JRE is necessary to client-users of SDS's VIP and SFM products.
Install Java
SDK: Installing Server Support for Java Applications
The VIP and SFM Servers, like many "Web Application Servers," require a host that includes the Java™ 2 Software Development Kit (variously called JDK, SDK, or J2SDK) from Sun Microsystems--or for z/OS USS and z/Linux, from IBM.
The SDK is free of charge, simple to install, and provides two components essential to Java application servers: a Java Runtime Environment (JRE) and a Java compiler.
Sun's download will get you an executable file (jdk-6u1-windows-i586-p.exe for example). Copy that file to the Server's host machine and run it. It will install the SDK.
JRE: Installing Client/Browser Support for Java Applications
The SDS Product Server and its applications use Java applets, compiled Java programs linked into web pages.
A web page loads in the browser, then the applet runs on the client machine and the browser displays the output.
Running applets requires a Java Runtime Environment (JRE) on the client, also called a Java plug-in.
SDS Product Servers test for browser support of applets. The tests will alert you to inadequacies.
If you can see the red and green circles at right, your browser supports applets.
The text indicates the version number of the JRE.
If you need to install a JRE, click here to download the free-of-charge, simple-to-install browser plugin from Sun Microsystems. Look for a link to a JRE, not a JDK
The download will get you an executable file (jre-6-windows-i586-p-s.exe for example). Copy that file to the client machine and run it. It will install the JRE.
If your browser has trouble with applets, the most likely fix is to install or re-install the JRE and/or get a newer version of it.
The JRE typically installs at C:\Program Files\Java\.
In Windows, the JRE controls are at Start/ Settings/ Control Panel/ Java Plug-in.
An Introduction to Java Server - Client Technology
The Java™ 2 Standard Edition (J2SE)
platform is simple to install
and available free-of-charge for Windows, Linux, and Solaris.
Java Servlets and Beans are
compiled binary code on a web server.
When a browser-client requests a servlet or bean,
the server and its host run the Java program,
the program returns HTML code to the server,
then the server sends the HTML to the browser-client.
Java Server Pages (JSP, file-name *.jsp)
are text files on a web-server.
They contain a combination of HTML code and Java source code.
When a browser-client requests a JSP,
the server and its host first compile, then run the Java code,
the Java returns HTML code to the server,
then the server sends the HTML to the browser-client.
After the first request, the compiled Java code is
cached on the server for quick access next time.
Java Applets are binary files on a web server.
When a browser-client requests an HTML page that
includes a link to an applet,
the server sends the applet down to the browser.
The Java code then runs on the browser's host machine
and its output appears in the browser window.
Running Java programs requires a Java Runtime Environment (JRE or J2RE).
Compiling Java source code requires a Java compiler.
The JRE and compiler are parts of the Java 2 Software Development Kit (J2SDK).
The JRE can also be downloaded and installed separately, as a browser plug-in.
