What 'Java' version can I use for Windows 98?

Question

I've tried dowloading different Java versions, but they don't work. Which type of Java version would work or be compatible with Window's 98?
Is there any kind of setting that I'm misusing when I install it?

Any help would be great!

Answer 1

Java 1.4.2 is compatible according to the document link (check the IA32 Windows section).
Java 1.5 (or 5.0) is available according to the second link:

Java 6.0 (or 1.6) indicates that it is not supported on Windows 98 or ME (see bottom of the page).

Answer 2

Any JDK -- java development kit -- will work. The problem is the link to the folder that has the JRE -- java runtime engine. To make a link universal to where ever you launch a java program you have to modify the .bat file that is in your main C: window. This is known as the PATH variable.

If you don't update the PATH variable, you can also "hard code" the path like so:

C:> "\Program Files\Java\jdk1.6.0_u\bin\javac" MyClass.java

In Win98, you change the PATH by editing autoexec.bat
Use WordPad --> Open --> show all --> autoexec

add the following line
PATH=C:\jdk1.6.0_u\bin
CLASSPATH=.\
and save

YOU will have to change the part after the = sign
Where ever you put the jdk, you have to use the path for your machine. In Windows, you use backslash to go up and down directories.

After you have done that. It can save a lot of time to make a folder of anything java you are trying to code. Inside that folder put in a compile.bat. Use WordPad, once again, to make a text document. Type javac myWorkingCode.java [return] pause[return]. And save that as "compile.bat" -- with the quotation marks so WordPad does not change the file type extension to .txt. In the same folder make another .bat called run.bat. Type
java myWorkingCode[return]
and SaveAs... "run.bat"

That will give you two icons to double-click that will automate compiling and running java code.

I had no problems whatsoever running JDK 1.5 on Win98. If there is any incompatiability it is due to the Eye Candy of Vista, WinXP. java comes with the same Eye Candy, Bill Gates made it where java has to sniff to see if it is running on a Windoze before Windoze Eye Candy is allowed.

I currently run Linux, and I can mimic Vista Eye Candy no prob.