Note that because the JDK is currently in beta, it is still subject to change between now and when
it is officially released. Applets and applications you write using the JDK and using the examples
in this book may require some changes to work with future versions of the JDK. However,
because the Java language has been around for several years and has been used for several projects,
the language itself is quite stable and robust and most likely will not change excessively. Keep
this beta status in mind as you read through this book and as you develop your own Java
programs.
Support for playing Java programs is a little more confusing at the moment. Sun’s HotJava is
not currently included with the Beta JDK; the only available version of HotJava is an older alpha
version, and, tragically, applets written for the alpha version of Java do not work with the beta
JDK, and vice versa. By the time you read this, Sun may have released a newer version of HotJava
which will enable you to view applets.
The JDK does include an application called appletviewer that allows you to test your Java applets
as you write them. If an applet works in the appletviewer, it should work with any Java-capable
browser. You’ll learn more about applet viewer later today.
What’s in store for the future? In addition to the final Java release from Sun, other companies
have announced support for Java in their own World Wide Web browsers. Netscape Commu-
nications Corporation has already incorporated Java capabi