Java on Linux HOWTO

maintained by Eric S. Raymond,

1. Introduction

2. General Questions About Java and HotJava

• 2.1 What are are Java and HotJava and why are they interesting?
• 2.2 Where do Java and HotJava come from? Who can use them?
• 2.3 How mature is Java?
• 2.4 Where can I find documentation on Java and HotJava?
• 2.5 Yes, but where can I find paper documentation?
• 2.6 Where can I find on-line collections of Java code?

3. Java as Freely Redistributable Software

• 3.1 Are Java programs and applets freely redistributable?
• 3.2 What can I do with Java implementation binaries?
• 3.3 Which parts of the Java sources are freely redistributable?
• 3.4 What is Sun's attitude towards FRS Java implementations and tools?
• 3.5 Is anyone cloning Java in freely redistributable source?
• 3.6 Are there any FRS Java Tools?

4. Java On Linux Questions

• 4.1 Are Java and HotJava included in any of the Linux distributions?
• 4.2 How can I get the latest Java distribution for Linux?
• 4.3 What environment will I need to run Java?
• 4.4 Do I need Netscape? Can I use Netscape?
• 4.5 What mailing lists or newsgroups exist for supporting Java on Linux?

5. Building the Linux Java port on stock Linuxes

• 5.1 Slackware distribution ELF kernel 1.2.13.
• 5.2 RedHat 2.1/Caldera Preview 2
• 5.3 Unifix

6. Viewing Applets

7. Notes on Known Problems

• 7.1 GNU Make breaks after I install Java
• 7.2 You get `dirname: too many arguments' errors
• 7.3 You get `cannot find class java/lang/Thread' errors
• 7.4 An error message refers to /dev/zero
• 7.5 SEGFAULT
• 7.6 bin/java, bin/javac, or bin/appletviewer gives you a help screen
• 7.7 Applets show in the viewer but not when put on a web server
• 7.8 Problem Logging

8. Related Resources

9. To Be Added...

10. Acknowledgements