Tables of JDK Features

The following table summarizes features added to JDK 1.1 and enhanced in JDK 1.2. The first column in the table identifies the trails in this tutorial in which you can find more information.

Features Added to JDK 1.1 and Enhanced in JDK 1.2

Trail Package JDK 1.1 JDK 1.2 Enhancements

Internationalization java.text java.io Handles international languages and scripts Input method framework and minor API changes

Sound java.applet Same as for 1.0. Support for non-applet sound; more sound formats.

JavaBeans java.beans Reusable software components that can be manipulated in a GUI Runtime containment and services protocol; drag-and-drop support

Security java.security Digital signature and message digest API. Applets confined to secure environment and digitally signed JAR files Policy-oriented architecture; API to support cryptographic services and key management; fine-grain access control for applets and applications

JDBC Database Access java.sql Standard API to issue and process SQL statements Result sets that scroll forward and backward, batch updates, persistent object storage, character stream support, and full precision java.math.BigDecimal values

Remote Method Invocation java.rmi Method-based standard API for network communications Remote object activation, downloadable socket factories, and minor enhancements

JAR File Format java.util.jar Mechanism to bundle and to sign Java program files Enhanced command line JAR tool, new API for reading and writing JAR files, ability to reference JAR files at a specified URL

Java Native Interface NA Standard naming and calling conventions for native method invocation New methods for library and version management, local reference management, weak global references, array operations, string operations, reflection support, and the invocation API

Reflection java.lang.reflect Accesses information on fields, methods, and constructors of loaded classes Ability to bypass JDK 1.2 access controls

The next table summarizes features added to JDK 1.2. The first column in the table identifies the trails in this tutorial in which you can find more information.

Summary of Features Added to JDK 1.2

Trail Package JDK 1.2

Collections java.util Groups and manipulates objects of different types

2D Graphics java.awt java.awt.color java.awt.geom java.awt.image java.awt.print API for designing more interesting and user-friendly interfaces, handling color, processing images, addressing multilingual requirements, using stylized text, and printing

Swing Components
javax.swing javax.swing.* javax.swing.*.*

Provides a rich set of GUI components; features include model-UI separation and a pluggable look and feel

Java IDL org.omg.CORBA org.omg.CosNaming Invokes a transparent remote operation

Java Extension Mechanism NA Adds extensions to core platform

Reference Objects java.lang.ref Creates a reference to an object so a program can maintain a reference to that object after it is eligible for garbage collection

Because servlets are a standard extension, not part of the JDK, they aren't mentioned in either table. To read more about servlets, see the trail Servlets.

Features Added to JDK 1.1 and Enhanced in JDK 1.2
Trail	Package	JDK 1.1	JDK 1.2 Enhancements
Internationalization	`java.text java.io`	Handles international languages and scripts	Input method framework and minor API changes
Sound	`java.applet`	Same as for 1.0.	Support for non-applet sound; more sound formats.
JavaBeans	`java.beans`	Reusable software components that can be manipulated in a GUI	Runtime containment and services protocol; drag-and-drop support
Security	`java.security`	Digital signature and message digest API. Applets confined to secure environment and digitally signed JAR files	Policy-oriented architecture; API to support cryptographic services and key management; fine-grain access control for applets and applications
JDBC Database Access	`java.sql`	Standard API to issue and process SQL statements	Result sets that scroll forward and backward, batch updates, persistent object storage, character stream support, and full precision java.math.BigDecimal values
Remote Method Invocation	`java.rmi`	Method-based standard API for network communications	Remote object activation, downloadable socket factories, and minor enhancements
JAR File Format	`java.util.jar`	Mechanism to bundle and to sign Java program files	Enhanced command line JAR tool, new API for reading and writing JAR files, ability to reference JAR files at a specified URL
Java Native Interface	NA	Standard naming and calling conventions for native method invocation	New methods for library and version management, local reference management, weak global references, array operations, string operations, reflection support, and the invocation API
Reflection	`java.lang.reflect`	Accesses information on fields, methods, and constructors of loaded classes	Ability to bypass JDK 1.2 access controls

Summary of Features Added to JDK 1.2
Trail	Package	JDK 1.2
Collections	`java.util`	Groups and manipulates objects of different types
2D Graphics	`java.awt java.awt.color java.awt.geom java.awt.image java.awt.print`	API for designing more interesting and user-friendly interfaces, handling color, processing images, addressing multilingual requirements, using stylized text, and printing
Swing Components	`javax.swing` `javax.swing.` `javax.swing..*`	Provides a rich set of GUI components; features include model-UI separation and a pluggable look and feel
Java IDL	`org.omg.CORBA org.omg.CosNaming`	Invokes a transparent remote operation
Java Extension Mechanism	NA	Adds extensions to core platform
Reference Objects	`java.lang.ref`	Creates a reference to an object so a program can maintain a reference to that object after it is eligible for garbage collection

Overview