Oracle Releases First Mac JDK, JavaFX SDK

Oracle has released Java Platform, Standard Edition 7 Update 4 and JavaFX 2.1, Oracle's first releases of the Java Development Kit and JavaFX SDK for Mac OS X.

The Java SE 7 Update 4 incorporates a number of enhancements, including improvements to Java Virtual Machine performance and the new Garbage First, a garbage collection algorithm designed for high performance on multi-core systems with large amounts of memory. JVM performance has been improved, according to Oracle, by merging Oracle JRockit performance enhancements into both Oracle Java HotSpot and OpenJDK. Oracle previously announced it would merge the Oracle Java HotSpot JVM and the Oracle JRockit JVM into a converged JVM with the release of Java SE 8, scheduled for release in 2013.

Oracle reported that Java SE 7 Update 4 is "fully supported and recommended for use" with Oracle Fusion Middleware.

Oracle first previewed Java SE 7 on Mac OS X in October 2011, when it also announced plans for a consumer version. According to Oracle, a consumer version of Java SE 7 and the Java Runtime Environment is still planned for release for Mac OS X later this year.

"Java SE 7 Update 4 will be the first consumer release of the Java 7 JRE, scheduled to be made available as the default version on Java.com starting on May 1, 2012," according to Oracle.

Oracle also released JavaFX 2.1 software development kit for Mac OS X and Windows, as well as a developer preview for Linux. Enhancements in 2.1 include:

  • Playback support for h.264-encoded video and AAC-encoded audio in MPEG-4 containers;
  • WebView to support Java method calls in JavaScript;
  • Improved font rendering; and
  • Various UI improvements, including "controls for Combo Box, Stacked Chart, and application-wide menu bar."

The JavaFX SDK is included with Java SE 7 Update 4.

Additional details can be found on Oracle's Java SE and JavaFX pages.

About the Author

David Nagel is the former editorial director of 1105 Media's Education Group and editor-in-chief of THE Journal, STEAM Universe, and Spaces4Learning. A 30-year publishing veteran, Nagel has led or contributed to dozens of technology, art, marketing, media, and business publications.

He can be reached at [email protected]. You can also connect with him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidrnagel/ .


Featured

  • Training the Next Generation of Space Cybersecurity Experts

    CT asked Scott Shackelford, Indiana University professor of law and director of the Ostrom Workshop Program on Cybersecurity and Internet Governance, about the possible emergence of space cybersecurity as a separate field that would support changing practices and foster future space cybersecurity leaders.

  • cloud, database stack, computer screen, binary code, and flowcharts interconnected by lines and arrows

    Salesforce to Acquire Data Management Firm Informatica

    Salesforce has announced plans to acquire data management company Informatica for $8 billion. The deal is aimed at strengthening Salesforce's AI foundation and expanding its enterprise data capabilities.

  • minimalist digital network with glowing interconnected lines and nodes

    Integration Brings Cerebras Inference Capabilities to Hugging Face Hub

    AI hardware company Cerebras has teamed up with Hugging Face, the open source platform and community for machine learning, to integrate its inference capabilities into the Hugging Face Hub.

  • illustration of a futuristic building labeled "AI & Innovation," featuring circuit board patterns and an AI brain motif, surrounded by geometric trees and a simplified sky

    Cal Poly Pomona Launches AI and Innovation Center

    In an effort to advance AI innovation, foster community engagement, and prepare students for careers in STEM fields and business, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona has teamed up with AI, cloud, and advisory services provider Avanade to launch a new Avanade AI & Innovation Center.