Jinit1.gif Oracle JInitiator 1.1.8.3 Readme

Version Oracle JInitiator 1.1.8.3
Date December 01, 2000
   
cnt0.gif Overview of Oracle JInitiator
cnt1.gif About Oracle JInitiator
cnt1.gif Oracle Java Runtime Environment version
cnt1.gif Changes in the Oracle JInitiator
cnt0.gif Configuring and Controlling Oracle JInitiator
cnt1.gif Setting up the Oracle JInitiator plug-in
cnt1.gif Installing Oracle JInitiator on your server
cnt1.gif Adding Oracle JInitiator markup to your base HTML file
cnt1.gif Oracle JInitiator tags for a base HTML file (cartridge implementation)
cnt1.gif Oracle JInitiator tags for a base HTML file (non-cartridge implementation)
cnt1.gif Customizing the Oracle JInitiator download file
cnt1.gifModifying the heap size for Oracle JInitiator
cnt1.gifViewing Oracle JInitiator output
cnt1.gif Modifying the cache size for Oracle JInitiator
cnt1.gif Modifying the cache directory for Oracle JInitiator
 

About Oracle JInitiator

Oracle JInitiator enables end users to run Oracle Developer Server applications directly within Netscape Navigator or Internet Explorer on the Windows95/98 and Windows NT4.0 platforms.

Oracle JInitiator is implemented as a plug-in (Netscape Navigator) or ActiveX Object (Microsoft Internet Explorer). Oracle JInitiator allows you to specify the use of the Oracle certified Java Virtual Machine (JVM) on web clients instead of relying on the default JVM provided by the browser.

Oracle JInitiator delivers several key benefits to enterprises deploying Oracle Developer Server applications:

oj90000.gif Full JDK 1.1 support: Oracle JInitiator allows enterprise developers to develop and deploy Oracle Developer applications taking full advantage of JDK 1.1 features and functionality.

oj90000.gif Full Java Compatible support: Oracle JInitiator utilizes the latest release of the Oracle certified JDK (OJDK) which is fully compliant with the Java Compatibility Kit (JCK) test suite.

oj90000.gif Easy install: Oracle JInitiator utilizes the plug-in/ActiveX Object installation mechanism provided by the browsers to install and update itself when necessary. Oracle JInitiator requires minimal intervention on the end users behalf

oj90000.gif Supports several MIME types for use in Netscape Navigator

Oracle JInitiator 1.1.8.3 supports the following MIME types

application/x-jinit-applet
application/x-jinit-applet;version=1.1.8.3

A version specific MIME type has been added, application/x-jinit-applet;version=1.1.8.3 which provides the administrator with the ability to explicitly specify the Oracle JInitiator 1.1.8.3. as the version to be used.

MIME Type Usage Notes
application/x-jinit-applet
  • Supported in every release of Oracle JInitiator. 
  • Does not require any specific version of Oracle JInitiator to be used. 
  • The browser will use the last version installed. 
application/x-jinit-applet;version=1.1.8.3
  • Supported only in Oracle JInitiator 1.1.8.3. 
  • The browser will only use version 1.1.8.3 and if it is not present will direct the user to the download page for this version. 

oj90000.gif Supports a version specific CLASSID for Microsoft Internet Explorer

A new CLASSID was created for Oracle JInitiator 1.1.8.3:

clsid:a2001dd0-c7bd-11d4-a3e1-00c04fa32518

To specify the use of Oracle JInitiator 1.1.8.3 in Microsoft Internet Explorer, the Object tag in the page must contain the CLASSID specified above. If the objects tags do not specify the exact CLASSID for this release, it will not be launched. If Microsoft Internet Explorer does not have this version installed, it will download and install it for the user.

oj90000.gif JAR file caching: Oracle JInitiator caches the downloaded JAR file on the client-machines hard disk. Cache mechanism properties can be modified on the client via the Oracle JInitiator control panel. The caching mechanism uses a smart expansion algorithm to store JAR files in an uncompressed format. This approach provides much more efficient class loading operations and reduces application startup time dramatically.

oj90000.gif Java security identity configuration: Oracle JInitiator automatically creates the required Oracle identities in the Java security database and associates the digital X509 certificates with them.


Supported OS and Browser configurations

Oracle JInitiator supports the following browser and OS configurations:
 

Platform Internet Explorer 4.0  Internet Explorer 5.0*** Navigator 4.0**  Navigator 4.x****
Windows 95* 

 X 

 X 

X 

X 
Windows 98  

X 

 X 

X 
Windows NT* 

X 

X 

X 

X 

* Oracle JInitiator 1.1.8.3 does not support the use of the Microsoft Active Desktop.

** Oracle JInitiator 1.1.8.3 does not support Netscape Navigator 4.04 with the JDK 1.1 Smart Update. This is due to a bug in the Netscape Smart Update. Please use Netscape Navigator 4.04 without the Smart Update, or use other versions of Netscape Navigator.

*** Although JInitiator 1.1.8.3 is certified on Internet Explorer 5.0. It is in noway imply that other Oracle Java applications are certified to run on Internet Explorer. Please consult corresponding documentation from for supported browsers.

**** Oracle JInitiator 1.1.8.3 has been shown (by both internal testing and the absence of any customer reported issues) not to be sensitive to any particular version of Netscape 4.x. It is therefore certified for use against all versions from 4.x onwards. Currently we test Oracle JInitiator on Netscape 4.72 and will continue to install and test against the latest version of Netscape. 

About using Oracle JInitiator

Oracle JInitiator does not replace or modify the default JVM provided by the browser. Rather, it provides an alternative JVM via the standard plug-in architecture of the browser which allows web application developers to specify the use of the Oracle certified JVM instead.

Oracle JInitiator is automatically downloaded to a client machine from the application server the first time the client web browser encounters an HTML file that specifies the use of Oracle JInitiator. The installation and updating of Oracle JInitiator is performed using the standard plug-in mechanism provided by the browser.

Oracle JInitiator installation performs the required steps to run Oracle Developer applications as trusted applets in the Oracle JInitiator environment.

About using with Netscape Navigator

Oracle JInitiator leverages the Netscape Navigator plug-in architecture in order to run inside the browser in the same way other plug-ins such as QuickTime movies or Shockwave animations operate. Using the Netscape HTML <EMBED> tag, web application developers can specify plug-ins to be run as part of a web page. This is what makes it possible for Oracle JInitiator to run inside the web browser with minimal user intervention.

When Navigator first encounters an HTML page that specifies the use of Oracle JInitiator, users will see a "Plug-in Not Loaded" dialog on the HTML page, which directs the user to the Oracle JInitiator download page. Users can then download the version of Oracle JInitiator for their operating system and install it. Once Oracle JInitiator is installed, users must shut down Navigator, restart it, and then revisit the original HTML page. Oracle JInitiator will then run and use the parameters in the <EMBED> tag to render the applet. The next time Navigator encounters a web page that specifies Oracle JInitiator, Navigator will seamlessly load and run the plug-in from the local disk, requiring no user intervention.

About using with Microsoft Internet Explorer

Oracle JInitiator leverages the Microsoft Internet Explorer extension mechanism for downloading and caching ActiveX controls and COM components. Using the HTML <OBJECT> tag, web application developers can specify to run ActiveX controls or COM components as part of a web page, including Oracle JInitiator.

When Internet Explorer first encounters an HTML file that has been modified to specify the use of Oracle JInitiator, Internet Explorer will ask the user if it is okay to download an ActiveX control signed with a VeriSign digital signature by Oracle Corporation. If the user clicks "Yes," Internet Explorer will begin downloading Oracle JInitiator. Oracle JInitiator will then run and use its parameters in the <OBJECT> tag to render the applet. The next time Internet Explorer encounters a web page modified to support Oracle JInitiator, Internet Explorer will seamlessly load and run Oracle JInitiator from the local disk, requiring no user intervention.

Oracle Java Runtime Environment version

Oracle JInitiator includes a version of Oracle Java Runtime Environment (JRE), which is downloaded and installed together with Oracle JInitiator.

The version of the Oracle JRE in this release of Oracle JInitiator is Oracle JRE 1.1.8.3. This is based on Oracle JDK 1.1.8.3, which is in turn based on JavaSoft JDK 1.1.8.

Changes in Oracle JInitiator

Please refer to the changes file for a list of changes between the Oracle JInitiator releases.

Setting up the Oracle JInitiator plug-in

To set up the Oracle JInitiator plug-in:

  1. Add Oracle JInitiator HTML markup to your base HTML file.
  2. Install the Oracle JInitiator on your server (for server-based testing purposes only).
  3. Make the Oracle JInitiator available for download:

oj90000.gif Copy jinit1183.EXE to your web server. Note: You must copy jinit1183.EXE to the location that was specified within the base HTML file.
oj90000.gif Customize the Oracle JInitiator download file. JINIT_DOWNLOAD.HTM is the template HTML file that allows your end users to download the Oracle JInitiator.
oj90000.gif Copy JINIT_DOWNLOAD.HTM to your web server. Note: You must copy JINIT_DOWNLOAD.HTM to the location that was specified within the base HTML file.

Installing Oracle JInitiator on your server

To install Oracle JInitiator on your web server:

  1. Place the jinit1183.exe in a directory that has a virtual mapping associated with it. This enables client machines to download the installation executable when required.
  2. (optional) To install Oracle JInitiator on the server machine for testing purposed, double-click jinit1183.EXE, then follow the installation instructions.  Installing the Oracle JInitiator on your server allows you to test and refine your configuration before deploying your applications to customers. Note that this is not a required step and is only required to perform local system testing.

Adding Oracle JInitiator markup to your base HTML file

To add Oracle JInitiator markup to your base HTML file:

  1. Open your base HTML file within a text editor.
  2. Add the OBJECT and EMBED tags.  For examples, refer to Oracle JInitiator tags for a base HTML file (cartridge implementation) and Oracle JInitiator tags for a base HTML file (non-cartridge implementation).

Oracle JInitiator tags for a base HTML file (cartridge implementation)

This example illustrates the Oracle JInitiator markup for a cartridge application.

In the example, the blue section is Microsoft Internet Explorer-specific. The red section is Netscape Navigator-specific. Adding each section to your base HTML file will enable your applications to run within both Netscape and Microsoft web browsers.

 

<HTML>

<BODY>

                           
<OBJECT classid="clsid:a2001dd0-c7bd-11d4-a3e1-00c04fa32518"
                        
                           
WIDTH=%Width%
                        
                           
HEIGHT=%Height%
                        
                           
codebase="http://acme.com/jinit1183.exe#Version=1.1.8.3">
                        
                           
<PARAM NAME="CODE" VALUE="%Code%">
                        
                           
<PARAM NAME="CODEBASE" VALUE="%Codebase%">
                        
                           
<PARAM NAME="ARCHIVE" VALUE="%Archive%">
                        
                           
<PARAM NAME="type" VALUE="application/x-jinit-applet;version=1.1.8.3">
                        
                           
<PARAM NAME="serverHost" VALUE="%ServerHost%">
                        
                           
<PARAM NAME="serverPort" VALUE="%ServerPort%">
                        
                           
<PARAM NAME="serverArgs" VALUE="Module=%Module%">
                        
                           
<COMMENT>
                        
                           
<EMBED type="application/x-jinit-vspec;version=1.1.8.3"
                        
                           
java_CODE="%Code%"
                        
                           
java_CODEBASE="%Codebase%"
                        
                           
java_ARCHIVE="%Archive%"
                        
                           
WIDTH=%Width%
                        
                           
HEIGHT=%Height%
                        
                           
serverHost="%ServerHost%"
                        
                           
serverPort="%ServerPort%"
                        
                           
serverArgs="Module=%Module%"
                        
                           
pluginspage="http://acme.com/jinit_download.htm">
                        
                           
<NOEMBED>
                        
                           
</COMMENT>
                        
                           
</NOEMBED></EMBED>
                        
                           
</OBJECT>
                        
</BODY>

</HTML>

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