Microsoft SDK for Java

Getting Started for First-Time Users

The following topics introduce the Microsoft SDK for Java (SDK) to first-time users and explain its contents and features:

What is the SDK?

What can I do with the SDK?

What is covered in the SDK documentation?

What is not covered by the SDK?

How can I start using the SDK?

What special things do I need to know?

How do I find information in the SDK documentation?

What is the SDK?

Microsoft SDK for Java stands for Microsoft Software Development Kit for Java. The SDK contains a collection of Java tools for compiling source code and executing commands, samples that demonstrate the use of Java with other technologies, Java packages, which are collections of classes that share a common namespace, and extensive documentation on the most important SDK features.

What can I do with the SDK?

Here are some of the ways that you can use the SDK's components.

Java Packages

A Java package is a collection of classes that share a common namespace. The Microsoft SDK for Java contains over 20 packages that let you work with different features of the Java language. The com.ms.com package, for example, covers the Component Object Model (COM) services from Java. The com.ms.security package provides access to classes that control the security system. The com.ms.wfc package enables you to write full-featured Microsoft® Windows®-based applications with the Java programming language, and so on. The Microsoft packages provide access to features that are not included in the standard Java packages. For example, the com.ms.awt package gives you access to Microsoft® Win32® system-level features.

For information on all packages that are included in the SDK, see the Microsoft Packages Reference.

SDK Tools

The tools in the %SDKDIR%\Bin directory help you can compile your own source code or sample source code (jvc.exe). You can then execute it from the command line (Jview.exe) or view it in the appletviewer (Appletviewer.exe). You can also sign cabinet files (Signcode.exe), check files for their validity (Chktrust.exe), register Java classes as COM components (Setreg.exe), and much more. Some of the SDK tools are also available in versions that run on Compaq DIGITAL Alpha machines. These tools are located in the %SDKDIR%\BinAlpha directory.

For more detailed information on the tools, see the Tools Reference.

SDK Samples

The Microsoft SDK for Java includes over 90 samples that can be used as a reference for Java application development. When you download the SDK, these samples are installed in the %SDKDIR%\Samples folder and its subfolders. A description of each sample, installation, and usage instructions are provided. The Start page in the Samples folder contains an overview of the samples and links to each sample’s description.

What is covered in the SDK Documentation?

The Microsoft SDK for Java documentation, which is located in the %SDKDIR%\Docs directory, provides information for both the experienced Java developer and the beginner:

What is not covered by the SDK for Java?

The Microsoft SDK for Java is not a GUI development environment with menus, buttons, toolbars, and so on. Most of the tools in the SDK are run from the MS-DOS® command line or with executable applications.

The Microsoft SDK for Java assumes some knowledge of command-line–driven compilers and other tools. You can become familiar with these tools by studying a beginner’s Java book, and then compiling and executing its source code with the tools in the Microsoft SDK for Java.

Scripting is not covered in the Microsoft SDK for Java. For detailed information on scripting and Microsoft® JScript® (Microsoft's implementation of the ECMA 262 language specification), visit the JScript home page at http://msdn.microsoft.com/scripting This link takes you to a site on microsoft.com.

If you want to work with a Java development tool and develop your own Java applications or applets, Microsoft® Visual J++® version 6.0 is the best application. With Visual J++ 6.0, developers can rapidly construct Microsoft® Windows®-based applications and components using two-way rapid application development (RAD) tools and WFC, an object-oriented framework that encapsulates and simplifies the Microsoft® Win32® API. For more information or to download Visual J++, see the Visual J++ home page at http://msdn.microsoft.com/visualj/default.asp This link takes you to a site on microsoft.com.

How can I start using the SDK?

Visit the Microsoft® Technologies for Java home page frequently at http://www.microsoft.com/java/ This link takes you to a site on microsoft.com. Here you can find the latest news and updates to the SDK and the Microsoft virtual machine (Microsoft VM).

To download the SDK, choose Downloads, and then SDK for Java from the menu bar on the Microsoft Technologies for Java home page.

Important   If you have Visual J++ installed, you must replace three files in Visual J++ with their SDK versions:

  1. Back up the current Visual J++ versions of Jvc.exe, Jps.dll, and Msjvc.dll.

  2. Copy Jvc.exe, Jps.dll, and Msjvc.dll from %SDKDIR%\Bin to your Visual J++ directory. Projects will then build using the new compiler.

The Finding Information section of the Microsoft SDK for Java documentation contains important information on how to use the documentation's Help Viewer, including using the toolbar buttons, using full text search, finding a Help topic, and much more.

What special things do I need to know?

There are a few additional procedures you might need to perform after installing the SDK. All the procedures are performed in the MS-DOS® Command Prompt window.

To open the Command Prompt window

From the Start menu, select Programs, and then select MS-DOS® Command Prompt.

Including the \Bin Directory in Your Path

To ensure error-free functioning of the SDK, you should add the \Bin directory to your path.

To check if Setup has automatically added \Bin to your path

In the MS-DOS® Command Prompt window, type Path and press ENTER. If you see %SDKDIR%\Bin on your path, continue as normal.

To set your path manually

In the Command Prompt window, type:

set path=%path%;c:\<directory where SDK is installed>\bin

Displaying Help on Tools

To view information on the different options of a tool

  1. In the Command Prompt window, change to the \Bin directory.

  2. Type the following:

    <tool name> /?

    For example, to display help on jview, type:

    jview /?

Installing the Java Classes

The Microsoft SDK for Java contains two versions of the Java classes: the debug version (ClassD) and the retail version (ClassR).

To install either version of the Java classes

  1. In the MS-DOS® Command Prompt window, change to the \Bin directory.

  2. Type ClassD or ClassR and press ENTER.

Note   You must install the Microsoft VM for Java before you install the classes.

Turning on the Microsoft Java Compiler Directives

The Microsoft Java compiler directives are optional special comments inserted in source code to aid in Java/COM integration and development. These compiler directives are turned off by default.

To turn on the compiler directives

  1. In the Command Prompt window, change to the \Bin directory.

  2. Type jvc /x- and press ENTER.

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