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Java capabilities continue to expand beyond the
core language and JFC. Typically, new packages are introduced in
beta test form and then may eventually become part of the core language.
Those that do not become part of the core language may still be
available for many platforms if not all.
We refer here to these as new API (Application Program
Interface) since they provide a new user interface to deal with
a particular area such as sound or 3D modelling.
Some of the new APIs include:
- Java
Media Framework API (JMF) - this optional API "specifies
a simple, unified architecture to synchronize and control audio,
video and other time-based data within Java applications and
applets." Java
Sun FAQ. It " capture, playback, stream, and transcode
multiple media formats". Version 2.1.1 was released in
2003. An MP3
plug-in was released in Nov.2004.
- JavaTM
Sound API will provide "low-level support for audio
operations such as audio mixing, audio capture, MIDI sequencing
and MIDI synthesis in a framework that promotes extensibility
and flexibility." FAQ
- Java
Advanced Imaging will provide "high-performance imaging
functions in your Java applets and applications." See Chapter
11: Supplements: JAI.
- Java 3D™
API provides " a set of classes for writing three-dimensional
graphics applications and 3D applets. It gives developers high
level constructs for creating and manipulating 3D geometry and
for constructing the structures used in rendering that geometry.
Application developers can describe very large virtual worlds
using these constructs, which provides Java 3D with enough information
to render these worlds efficiently."
- JavaHelp™
provides " a full-featured, platform-independent, extensible
help system that enables developers and authors to incorporate
online help in applets, components, applications, operating
systems, and devices.". Features
- See other new
API's at Javasoft's Early Access page.
Most recent update: Oct.6, 2005
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