Learning Java - Chapter 12 : Java : Supplements

Java capabilities continue to expand beyond the core language and JFC. Typically, new packages are introduced in beta test form and then may eventually become part of the core language. Those that do not become part of the core language may still be available for many platforms if not all.

We refer here to these as new API (Application Program Interface) since they provide a new user interface to deal with a particular area such as sound or 3D modelling.

Some of the new APIs include:

Java Media Framework API (JMF) - this optional API "specifies a simple, unified architecture to synchronize and control audio, video and other time-based data within Java applications and applets." Java Sun FAQ. It " capture, playback, stream, and transcode multiple media formats". Version 2.1.1 was released in 2003. An MP3 plug-in was released in Nov.2004.
- Demos
JavaTM Sound API will provide "low-level support for audio operations such as audio mixing, audio capture, MIDI sequencing and MIDI synthesis in a framework that promotes extensibility and flexibility." FAQ
Java Advanced Imaging will provide "high-performance imaging functions in your Java applets and applications." See Chapter 11: Supplements: JAI.
Java 3D™ API provides " a set of classes for writing three-dimensional graphics applications and 3D applets. It gives developers high level constructs for creating and manipulating 3D geometry and for constructing the structures used in rendering that geometry. Application developers can describe very large virtual worlds using these constructs, which provides Java 3D with enough information to render these worlds efficiently."
- Java3D has become a community development project. See the wiki FAQ.
- Java3D guides and tutorials
JavaHelp™ provides " a full-featured, platform-independent, extensible help system that enables developers and authors to incorporate online help in applets, components, applications, operating systems, and devices.". Features
See other new API's at Javasoft's Early Access page.

Most recent update: Oct.6, 2005