macOS Java on Mac OS 9.2

[MacRohde]

Hi,

I'm not quite sure how I can get started with Java on OS 9. I know it's not the ideal platform, but it'll do until I buy myself a newer Mac.

I have the 1.1.8 runtime and the MRJ SDK. But how do I compile and run Java programs?

Do I need CodeWarrior? It's next to impossible to get a CodeWarrior for OS 9 these days.

Any pointers would be much appreciated

 

[caveman_uk]

Why don't you run it on the other machine in your sig?

 

[Eraserhead]

why don't you install OS X on the Powerbook? would it be too slow?

 

[jeremy.king]

This is from memory - so its accuracy could be off...

The javac and java "programs" in OS 9 were/are drag and drop. Drag your .java file onto the javac binary and it should produce a .class file. Then you should be able to drop the resulting .class file onto the java runner thingy ma bober.

Honestly, there isn't a lot of value using OS 9 as a starting point. The APIs are old (and probably deprecated) and its development tools will not teach you anything relevant to how development is done today. Ideally, you should consider throwing linux (or just use the OS X you have) on that wizbang PC of yours (if a new mac is out of the question) and using the command line tools to learn.

 

[MacRohde]

Why don't you run it on the other machine in your sig?

Well, I do that too. But there's two reasons for why I'd like to get it going on the PowerBook as well:

1. I just like to sit on the sofa with the PowerBook on my lap.
2. Since it's not an "official" Mac there's no support for the graphics card so the refresh rate is too low for my eyes, hence I can't stand using it for long stretches of time. But my experience with OS X on my Pentium has made me wanting a real Mac and I plan on buying one in a month or two.

 

[MacRohde]

why don't you install OS X on the Powerbook? would it be too slow?

Well, I have been considering that option, but I fear it would be too slow to be usable.

 

[MacRohde]

This is from memory - so its accuracy could be off...

The javac and java "programs" in OS 9 were/are drag and drop. Drag your .java file onto the javac binary and it should produce a .class file. Then you should be able to drop the resulting .class file onto the java runner thingy ma bober.

Yeah, that's it. My problem was that it wasn't really the MRJ SDK I downloaded but the MRJ Redstributable SDK which is something else. Anyways I've got it working now. Thanks

Honestly, there isn't a lot of value using OS 9 as a starting point. The APIs are old (and probably deprecated) and its development tools will not teach you anything relevant to how development is done today. Ideally, you should consider throwing linux (or just use the OS X you have) on that wizbang PC of yours (if a new mac is out of the question) and using the command line tools to learn.

I know that. It's not ideal. I've been programming Java since '00 so I know I'm missing out on a lot of features, but I just need to do a simple program with some Swing and since I can download the JFC (the new collection classes and Swing) separately for Mac OS 9 I think I have what I need for this program. And then in a month or so I have bought myself either a new new shiny Mac or a new used Mac (G4 or G5) so I can use OS X.

 

[munkees]

Here is a link for the SDK

http://developer.apple.com/java/classic.html

 

[basilbourque]

I have some very old articles on programming Java 1.1.8 on Mac OS 8 & 9, including how to get Swing 1.1.1 working:

http://www.basilbourque.org/java4u/

--Basil