Knowledge Base

The information in this article applies to:

Product: ToolBook
Component: DHTML Java Support
Product version(s): ToolBook 2004 and higher

ToolBook's DHTML exported content utilizes Java logic. As such Java support must be enabled within your browser, and using the right version of Java is important too.

First it is important to know that Java is used for two completely different purposes in ToolBook.

• Web Export
  As part of the Web Export process...the AXF > DHTML conversion process uses the Sun Microsystems Java (the JRE) to create the actual DHTML set of files.
   
• DHTML Runtime
  The resulting HTML files may require Java (the JVM) in order to properly function, depending on which version of ToolBook you are using.

General Information
Since the version and vendor of the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) which is active in your Internet Explorer browser can be important, you will need a way to quickly tell which version is currently configured within your browser. The easiest way to tell is to go to the following site and look at the text in the PINK box produced by the site:  

   http://www.javatester.org/version.html

The Vendor/Version information will indicate whether you are using the Microsoft version or the Sun Microsystems version of Java. If the PINK box does not render at all you have a clear indication that a Java Virtual Machine (JVM) is not installed on your computer at all, or that the installed JVM is not enabled, or that your Security restrictions imposed by the browser is currently configured to block the use of Java.

ToolBook 9.5 and higher

With only a few exceptions, Java is no longer used at all by the DHTML runtime. Instead, JavaScript is utilized resulting in no use or requirement of a JVM.

The "few exceptions" which require Java include the following OPTIONAL settings: the sending of email via the Logging feature in ToolBook, HTTP Post where Cross-Domain posting is required, and the use of Strong Encryption. If you use one of these Java required features, the following versions of Java are supported:

The Microsoft Java Virtual Machine (JVM) is NO LONGER supported by this version of ToolBook.

The Sun Microsystems JVM is supported, and the officially supported versions of the Sun Microsystems JVM are:

• 1.3.1_01 or higher

The only JRE issue we are aware of at this time is:

• When using a double-byte operating system such as the Japanese version of Windows, exporting to DHTML may produce an Unknown Protocol error. To resolve this problem, ensure that the 1.6 (<also known as version 6> or higher) of the JRE is installed.

If you find you are having problems using a different version of the Sun Microsystems JVM, our recommendation is to use one of the supported versions instead. You can find an archive of Sun Microsystems JVMs at the following web site:

http://java.sun.com/products/archive/

ToolBook 2004 SP2 thru ToolBook 9.01

With the release of the SP2 version of ToolBook 2004, Java is (with only a few exceptions) no longer used at all by the DHTML runtime. Instead, JavaScript is utilized resulting in no use or requirement of a JVM.

The "few exceptions" which require Java include the following OPTIONAL settings: the sending of email via the Logging feature in ToolBook, HTTP Post where Cross-Domain posting is required, and the use of Strong Encryption. If you use one of these Java required features, the following versions of Java are supported:

The Microsoft Java Virtual Machine (JVM) is supported by this version of ToolBook. Although we have no specific version requirements for the Microsoft version of the JVM, we suggest using the latest version Microsoft provides.

In addition the Sun Microsystems JVM is also supported, however the officially supported versions of the Sun Microsystems JVM are:

• 1.3.1_01 or higher

The only JVM issue that we are aware of at this time is:

• For Mozolla browsers, you must have Sun JVM 1.5.0_02 or higher installed (IF) you need to use the Cross-Domain Posting feature in your HTML.

The only JRE issue we are aware of at this time is:

• When using a double-byte operating system such as the Japanese version of Windows, exporting to DHTML may produce an Unknown Protocol error. To resolve this problem, ensure that the 1.6 (<also known as version 6> or higher) of the JRE is installed.

If you find you are having problems using a different version of the Sun Microsystems JVM, our recommendation is to use one of these supported versions instead, or switch to the Microsoft JVM. You can find an archive of Sun Microsystems JVMs at the following web site:

http://java.sun.com/products/archive/

ToolBook 2004 and ToolBook 2004 SP1

The Microsoft Java Virtual Machine (JVM) is supported by this version of ToolBook. Although we have no specific version requirements for the Microsoft version of the JVM, we suggest using the latest version Microsoft provides.

In addition the Sun Microsystems JVM is also supported, however the officially supported versions of the Sun Microsystems JVM are:

• 1.3.1_01
• 1.3.1_02
• 1.4.1_05
• 1.4.2 - NOTE: Version 1.4.2 has been shown to occassionally cause Internet Explorer to produce a General Protection Fault fatal error upon exit of a LMS launched course. Please see:
  http://kb.sumtotalsystems.com/community_kb_tb_display.asp?id=Q109777434000060

If you find you are having problems using a different version of the Sun Microsystems JVM, our recommendation is to use one of these supported versions instead, or switch to the Microsoft JVM. You can find an archive of Sun Microsystems JVMs at the following web site:

http://java.sun.com/products/archive/