Java Plug-in Quick-Start Guide

This guide includes the following topics:

Why You Should Install Java Plug-in

With Java Plug-in installed in your browser, it will use the Java 2, Standard Edition runtime environment when encountering an applet-rather than its own default Java runtime. This provides the applet with the latest features and capabilities of Java 2 technology and eliminates the inconsistencies of an unknown runtime.

What Platforms Does Java Plug-in Support?

Java Plug-in supports the following platforms:

How to Install Java Plug-in

STEP 1: Check Your System Requirements:

Windows:

Solaris:

Linux:

STEP 2: Download Java Runtime Environment (JRE)

Download Java Runtime Environment (JRE), which includes the Java Plug-in, from:
http://java.sun.com/j2se/<JRE Version>/jre/index.html
where <JRE Version> is the version you want to download; for example,  1.3

Select the appropriate download type according to your OS and Platform.

STEP 3: Install the JRE by following the installation instructions:

Windows:

After downloading the file, double-click on its icon to run the installer. Follow the instructions the installer provides. For detailed instructions, refer to http://java.sun.com/j2se/<JRE Version>/jre/install-windows.html

Solaris & Linux:

Make sure that execute permission is set on the self-extracting binary. Change directory to the desired install location, then run the self-extracting binary. For example, on Sparc:
chmod +x j2re-1_3_0-solsparc.bin
j2re-1_3_0-solsparc.bin
For detailed instructions, refer to http://java.sun.com/j2se/<JRE Version>/install-solaris-re.html or http://java.sun.com/j2se/<JRE Version>/jre/install-linux.html

STEP 4: Set NPX_PLUGIN_PATH (NETSCAPE on Solaris or Linux ONLY):

NOTE: If you use Internet Explorer or Netscape on Windows, GO TO STEP 5.
  1. Set the environment variable NPX_PLUGIN_PATH to the directory containing the javaplugin.so file. For example, in the default installation on Sparc,
  2. Start your Netscape browser (from the terminal  where you set NPX_PLUGIN_PATH), or restart if it is already running.

    3. Note: With Linux and Netscape 6.0 you do not set the NPX_PLUGIN_PATH
    environment variable, but instead make a soft link from <netscape>/plugins
    to <jre>/plugin/i386/ns600/libjavaplugin_oji.so
    Example: ln -s <jre>/plugin/i386/ns600/libjavaplugin_oji.so <netscape>/plugins/.
    Where, <jre> is the path to your Java Runtime Environment (JRE) installation.
     
  3. Restart your browser a second time (this is a Netscape bug workaround).

STEP 5: Test your browser

Your browser should now be ready to display Java 2 applets.

Go to http://java.sun.com/products/plugin/1.3/demos/applets.html .  Click on any one of the demos to see if it works in your browser.

Converting Your HTML Pages (For Web Page Authors and Developers ONLY)

In order for the Java Plug-in to be used for running applets on your web pages, you will need to convert (modify) some of the html tags on those pages.  In order to help you do this, an HTML Converter has been provided.
  1. Download the HTML Converter from http://java.sun.com/products/plugin/<JRE Version>/converter.html
  2. Unzip the HTML Converter zip file to the directory of your choice.
      3. On Windows: Use WinZip version 7.0 or higher to unzip the file.
      On Solaris or Linux :  Type in unzip filename.zip.  For example,
              unzip htmlconv-1_3_0_01.zip
  1. Launch the GUI version of the converter:

    2.     At the command line,  cd to the <HTML Converter Directory>
        For Java Plug-in version 1.3 :
                On Windows: cd into the converter\classes directory.
                                           Launch the converter with the command:
                                          java -classpath . HTMLConverter
                On Solaris or Linux: cd into the converter/classes directory.
                                            Launch the converter with the command:
                                          java -classpath . HTMLConverter
        For Java Plug-in version 1.3.0_01 and higher:
                On Windows: Launch the converter with the command:
                                          java -jar htmlconv1_3_0_01.jar -gui
                On Solaris or Linux: Launch the converter with the command:
                                           java -jar htmlconv1_3_0_01.jar -gui
  1. Select the folder or file(s) to be converted.
  1. Convert the document(s) by clicking on the "Convert" button.
Your HTML page now allows applets to be run with the Java Plug-in. If users viewing your pages do not have the plugin installed, they are directed to the Java Plug-in download page.

For instructions with more detail, please refer to http://java.sun.com/products/plugin/1.3/docs/htmlconv.html

Help for Applet Debugging

    Using the Java Console:
  1. Start the Java Plug-in Control Panel to set various options for the Plug-in:
    On Windows: From the Windows Control Panel, double-click the Duke icon labeled "Java Plug-in Control Panel".

    On Solaris and Linux: Launch the Control Panel executable file, which is located at
          <JRE Installation Directory>/jre/bin/ControlPanel

  1. Show Java Console: You can select this option (it is unchecked by default) to display the Java Console while running applets or JavaBeans components. The console displays messages depending on the options that you set for it. It can be very useful for debugging problems.
For further information about the Plug-in Control Panel, go to http://java.sun.com/products/plugin/1.3/docs/controlpanel.html

For more information on applet debugging, go to
http://java.sun.com/products/plugin/1.3/docs/debugging.html

More Information About Java Plug-in

For new information (i.e. news, documentation, latest releases) about the Java Plug-in, refer to, http://java.sun.com/products/plugin/index.html

Java Plug-in Documentation can be found at http://java.sun.com/products/plugin/1.3/docs/index.docs.html

For miscellaneous questions about Java Plug-in usage and deployment, see the Java Plug-in FAQs at http://java.sun.com/products/plugin/1.3/plugin.faq.html

If your question is not answered in the FAQ, please send e-mail to http://java.sun.com/docs/forms/plugin-sendusmail.html