Netscape Directory SDK 4.0 for Java Release Notes

Last Updated October 8, 1999

These release notes contain information about:

For the latest documentation, see the Netscape Directory SDK 4.0 for Java Programmer's Guide, which is also available on Netscape DevEdge.

Reference materials for the Directory SDK 4.0 for Java are produced using the Javadoc utility. They are available in the doc/Reference directory or online at: http://developer.netscape.com/docs/manuals/dirsdk/jsdk40/Reference/index.html.


What's New in Version 4.0

The Netscape Directory SDK 4.0 for Java provides programmers with the tools to develop directory-enabled software.  This release includes:

Additional improvements and changes to the Directory SDK are listed under Bugs Fixed Since Version 3.05.

API updates

The Netscape Directory SDK 4.0 for Java supports these changes to the LDAP API:

Asynchronous API

The Netscape Directory SDK 4.0 for Java provides an interface called LDAPAsynchronousConnection. This interface contains methods for performing LDAP operations asynchronously. Instead of blocking while waiting for a response, methods in LDAPAsynchronousConnection return control to an application before they complete. For more information on the asynchronous interface, see "Using the Asynchronous Interface" in the Netscape Directory SDK 4.0 for Java Programmer's Guide.

SASL API

SASL allows clients and servers to communicate securely. The API accomplishes this by finding a common authentication scheme and facilitating a series of challenge and response interchanges between the client and server. If these interchanges complete successfully, the client is authenticated. For more information on SASL see "Using SASL Authentication" in the Netscape Directory SDK 4.0 for Java Programmer's Guide.

JNDI Service Provider for LDAP

JNDI is a Java API that provides a common way for programmers to access a variety of naming and directory services. This is accomplished via a layer of software called a Service Provider. The Directory SDK includes a Service Provider for LDAP.

The following JNDI features are not implemented in this release of the Netscape LDAP Service Provider:

For more information see "Using the JNDI Service Provider" in the Netscape Directory SDK 4.0 for Java Programmer's Guide.

Javadoc on the LDAP controls implemented by the provider can be found in the doc/Reference/jndi directory.


Downloading and Installing the SDK

The Directory SDK is available on the Netscape DevEdge website. You can download it at http://developer.netscape.com/tech/directory/downloads.html. The compressed file is approximately 1.25 MB.

Follow these instructions to install the Netscape Directory SDK:

UNIX (Solaris, HP-UX, IRIX, AIX, Digital UNIX):

  1. Save the file to the location on your hard drive where you want the SDK installed.
  2. Unzip the file by entering the command:

  3. gunzip <filename>.tar.gz
  4. Untar the resulting tar file by entering the command:

  5. tar -xvof <filename>.tar
Windows 3.x/95/98/NT:
  1. Save the file to disk.
  2. Double-click the file to extract its contents.
Macintosh 68K and PPC:
Updating Java Classes in Netscape Communicator

The LDAP Java classes contained in Netscape Communicator 4.7 and earlier are outdated. You can upgrade these class files to the latest versions using Communicator's SmartUpdate feature.

The SmartUpdate page for the LDAP Java classes is at: http://developer.netscape.com/software/ldap/ldap.html

Note: This page uses Communicator's SmartUpdate feature to update the classes. Before visiting this page, you must enable SmartUpdate, Java, JavaScript, and cookies in Communicator.

To enable SmartUpdate, Java, JavaScript, and cookies:


Getting Started with the Directory SDK

The Netscape Directory SDK 4.0 for Java includes classes for the LDAP API. You can use these classes to write your own application to connect to, search, and update LDAP servers.

After downloading and extracting the SDK, read the documentation in the doc directory and look at the samples in the examples directory.

Reading the Documentation

The Netscape Directory SDK for Java includes a programmer's guide and a set of reference materials. The programmer's guide and the reference are both in HTML format.

To view the programmer's guide:

  1. Start Netscape Communicator.
  2. Open the doc/contents.htm file in the browser.
Reference materials were constructed using the Javadoc utility.
To view the reference materials:
  1. Start Netscape Communicator.
  2. Open the doc/Reference/index.html file in the browser.
This documentation is also available online at: http://developer.netscape.com/docs/manuals/

Using the Examples

The Directory SDK also includes sample programs that you can modify, compile, and run. Each program demonstrates how to use the classes to search or update an LDAP server. The samples are in the examples directory.

For more information on these sample clients, see the README file in the examples directory.


Bugs Fixed Since Version 3.05

The following bugs have been fixed since the release of the Directory SDK 3.05 for Java. Bug numbers are shown in parentheses.


Reporting Problems

Please submit your problem via the DevEdge Bug Report Form.


Accessing the Directory Developers Newsgroup

If you have additional questions or need more information about the Netscape Directory SDK 4.0 for Java, please visit the DevEdge Directory Server newsgroups.


Contains OROMatcher® regular expression software from ORO Java Software. © Copyright 1997 by ORO Java Software.
Redistribution separate from Netscape Directory SDK for Java or direct use of OROMatcher interfaces
requires a license from ORO Java Software. http://www.oroinc.com. OROMatcher® is a trademark of Original Reusable Objects, Inc.

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