Java and the 68k Macintosh

#1 Thu, 23 Oct 2008 - 03:44 68kMLA

I realize this is a bit of a stretch, but does anybody know if there's any Java compiler available for 68k Macs? I love my little compact for writing, and typing up my homework code would be the perfect job for it. Unfortunately, it's rather a bother to type it up, transfer it over, compile, get errors, fix, and going back and forth. Anybody know of one?

And do all you people out there who are going to post:

1. Yes, I know it would be horrible, slow, and inefficient. I'm just curious.

2. Yes, I know that it more than likely does not exist. Doesn't hurt to ask

#2 Thu, 23 Oct 2008 - 03:55 68kMLA

I realize this is a bit of a stretch, but does anybody know if there's any Java compiler available for 68k Macs?

Unlikely, I remember the Macintosh JDK requring 32Mb on a PowerPC. At the time I only had 24Mb so wasn't able to run it.

You should now be able to run the open source Java on NetBSD on a >= 68030 mac but that doesn't really solve your problem.

#3 Thu, 23 Oct 2008 - 10:36 68kMLA

Does you Compact have ethernet?

I think BBEdit has built-in FTP, so with that you could edit your code remotely and do the compiles via MacSSH, which runs fairly well on the 68ks I've tried it with.

If you don't have ethernet you could connect via serial and copy/paste your code from your editor to ZTerm.

I did something comparable for a while with my Quadra and it was very decent.

#4 Thu, 23 Oct 2008 - 12:26 68kMLA

There was a Java compiler for the 68k - I used it in first year Uni.

It was running on an LC630 and called Symantec Cafe.

Probably required an 040 though....

#5 Thu, 23 Oct 2008 - 14:37 68kMLA

I seem to recall poor support for Java on 68k being one of my main drivers for upgrading to a PPC back in the day. (Has it really been 10 years now?) If you're lucky, you'll get Java 1.1 on a 68k.

#6 Thu, 23 Oct 2008 - 20:28 68kMLA

I suggest you don't use an old JDK for homework. You will get low marks for using deprecated APIs and won't have access to 90% of the frameworks you will need to use.

#7 Thu, 23 Oct 2008 - 21:26 68kMLA

I recommend that you do your Java practice on the platform that you will use for your exams. You'll be more more familiar with the IDE (even if it is just a Unix text editor) and compiler, so you'll be quicker when the crunch comes. Produce program outlines on your old Mac if it is quicker (less distracting?) for you, then transfer and debug.