Java 1.6 was released in December 2006, but Leopard supports only Java 1.4.
Leopard users unable to run Java 1.6
/v3-uk/news/1948030/leopard-users-unable-run-java
30 Oct 2007, Shaun Nichols , V3
Early adopters of Apple's newly released OS X 10.5 Leopard operating system are unable to work with the latest version of the Java programming language.
Discussion threads began to appear in Apple's support forum following the release of OS X Leopard on 26 October, and numerous users reported that code written in Java 1.6 (also known as Java 6) failed to execute.
The problem apparently lies in an outdated version of the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), an application that allows OS X to interpret and run Java code.
Java 1.6 was officially released in December 2006, but Leopard reportedly supports only Java 1.5.
Sun Microsystems, which oversees development of the Java language, has released Java 1.6 JVMs for Linux and Windows.
The company does not offer a JVM for OS X because Apple insists on developing its own version, according to a Sun spokesperson.
Apple had previously allowed developers to use a beta version of a Java 1.6 JVM, but this has now reportedly been pulled from Apple's developer site. Apple did not respond to a request for comment.
Users on Apple's support forums have been berating the company over the
incident.
"This is a show stopper for me, and I will have to revert to 10.4 since my job
as a software engineer for Sun requires Java 6," wrote one user. "This will
likely prevent a lot of people from upgrading."
Users were further miffed when many of the threads about the issue were apparently deleted from Apple's support forum without explanation.
In an article posted to the Javalobby developer site, blogger Michael Urban vowed to dump the Mac platform completely.
"Not only did Leopard not ship with Java 6, but Apple, in typical fashion, apparently thinks it has no obligation to its customers to inform them about why the plans changed, and when (or even if at this point) Apple will ever have a working copy of Java 6," he wrote.
"Today I am saying: 'So long Apple. The party's over.'"
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Do you agree?
your facts are incorrect
The Java version shipping with Leopard is 1.5 not 1.4. See java -version output below:
****
Mac-Pro:~ gene$ java -fullversion
java full version "1.5.0_13-b05-237"
Posted by gene, 30 Oct 2007
Apple supports 1.4 and 5
Apple has supported 1.5 officially called 5 for some time. They do not support 6, but it is available for developers.
Posted by daniel Brookshier, 30 Oct 2007
wtf?
As someone who was about to purchase an Imac at the weekend, I'm *very* glad I read this. That Apple won't allow Sun to build a JVM for the Mac OS X platform is bad enough, that they delete their users legitimate complaints from their support forums is unforgivable.
As much as I hate Microsoft, it'll be WinXP or (if they've managed to sort out simple wireless configuration, flash/realplayer for 64 bit systems and easy printer configuration) Ubuntu for me.
Posted by Mark Wilkinson, 30 Oct 2007
Do your research first
This article is not correct. The version of Java on Leopard (and Tiger) is 1.5. This is syntaxt-compatible with Java 1.6 code. The only reason that "Java 1.6" code will not run on 1.5 is because it was compiled to bytecode as 1.6, which is not necessary. The person who is "required" to use 1.6 apparently doesn't know Java well enough to avoid such low hurdles. Apple also has a history of releasing new versions of Java within a week or so after new versions of the OS. If they removed the 1.6 beta and comments related to it, it is very likely an indicator that they are readying the release of 1.6.
Posted by Richard Hassinger, 30 Oct 2007
More to 1.6 than syntax
Saying that they should just compile to 1.5 doesn't really make sense.
If you have an app that depends upon the 1.6 API, compiling to an older version still will not result in a running application. You'll still need a runtime that supports the API you are using.
Maybe you should read your own comment before criticizing others.
Posted by Paul, 01 Nov 2007
Very misleading
Apple has come out with the next version of Java shortly after coming out with its newest OS. Expect 1.6 to be out in a week or two.
I think Urban is a whiner.
Posted by Robert, 02 Nov 2007
Storm in a teacup
So the BETA version of 1.6 ONLY available to developers was not compatible with the final Leopard - so Apple did the responsible thing and pulled it until they can release a compatible version. Apple took over Java development for OSX because Sun was not doing a good job of supporting OS X and Apple wanted to do a better job and make sure Java takes advantage of OS X specific features (Quartz etc).
Posted by Andrew, 02 Nov 2007
Java not working on MAC OS Leopard
This is ridiculous. I just switched to a MAC recently becase I of their operating system. What I did not expect Apple to do is become like Microsoft and tell their users what sites we can and cannot visit as some of them will require this type of technology.
Poor decision for a company that has spent so muc money on marketing themselves, this is a sure fire way to annoy people.
Posted by Petar, 11 Nov 2007