devxlogo

Judging Java Timeline – 1998

Judging Java Timeline – 1998

Why Trust Us

Go to:
? pre-1995-1995
? 1996
? 1997
? 1999
? 2000-2001



= mouseover explanation

= pop-up sidebar		 Jan. 20
– JDK 1.1 cumulative downloads top 2 million, says Sun.

March
JFC ships with “Swing”.

 March
– Microsoft releases Visual J++ 6.0, with keywords that only work in Windows, support only for MS’s Windows Foundation Classes, and no support for AWT or Swing. Cross-platform-Java supporters have a fit.		 March 24
JavaOne III pulls in 15,000 attendees.

-Java Jumpstart announced?packaged Java VM tuned to various OS platforms so corporate IS can install Sun-standard JVM on all systems in enterprise easily.

-EmbeddedJava spec made public; Java language subset aimed at embedded-device market (e.g. car engines, door locks, VCRs, microwaves, etc. etc. etc.)

 March 31
Sun announces WinCE port of PersonalJava.		 April 20
Java Plug-In ships.

April 6
Settop box makers announce support for PersonalJava.		 June 3
Visa offers first Java-based Smart Card.		 October
– Sun claims 500,000 downloads of JFC in six months.

November
— Sun gets a court injunction requiring Microsoft to support all of Java, pointing to Visual J++ 6.0 as a sample culprit.
– Hewlett-Packard releases its own internally developed Java virtual machine for embedded systems, and Microsoft announces it will use the HP JVM in its Windows CE handheld OS. The announcement creates a big buzz at JavaOne, bringing fears of language split. Sun says Microsoft’s use of the JVM is “fine”?as long as it runs Java code cleanly.		 Dec. 8
Java 2 ships.

– Sun announces “flexible” licensing terms, to counteract ongoing complaints of excess charges, cumbersome process, restrictive conditions from licensees.

Java Community Process formalized.		 Summary of 1998:
This is the year Sun reached out and grabbed developers. It is also the Year of the Lawsuit, during which Sun counterattacks Microsoft on two fronts: directly, in court, and by offering replacements for Microsoft’s virtual machine and a JVM for WinCE; and indirectly by rapidly expanding offerings beyond the PC to smartcards and numerous other embedded devices. Sun also starts taking complaints of developer-allies seriously.		 Go to:
? pre-1995-1995
? 1996
? 1997
? 1999
? 2000-2001


Timeline Introduction
Judging Java Home

pre1995-199519961997199819992000-2001

devxblackblue

About Our Editorial Process

At DevX, we’re dedicated to tech entrepreneurship. Our team closely follows industry shifts, new products, AI breakthroughs, technology trends, and funding announcements. Articles undergo thorough editing to ensure accuracy and clarity, reflecting DevX’s style and supporting entrepreneurs in the tech sphere.

See our full editorial policy.

About Our Journalist

Charlie Frank

Charlie has over a decade of experience in website administration and technology management. As the site admin, he oversees all technical aspects of running a high-traffic online platform, ensuring optimal performance, security, and user experience.
View Author
Show More