1 GNU Classpath README - Last updated: August 31, 2005
3 GNU Classpath, Essential Libraries for Java is a project to create a
4 free software implementation of the core class libraries for the java
7 Additionally GNU Classpath includes a sub-project called GNU Classpath
8 Tools whose goal is to provide a number of free replacements for
9 standard Java development tools like javadoc, javap, javah, and
10 others. And a sub-project called GNU Inetlib, an extension library to
11 provide extra network protocol support (ftp, finger, gopher) for GNU
12 Classpath, but it can also standalone to ease adding http, imap, pop3
13 and smtp client support to applictions. These subprojects are normally
14 released independent from the core libraries.
16 This is a development snapshot release only and is not for general
17 purpose use. GNU Classpath needs to be combine with a proper
18 development environments to be useable for end users. Eventually,
19 these essential libraries for java will work with as many free
20 compilers and runtimes as possible.
22 Complete development environments known to be based on GNU Classpath
23 include (recommended for end users):
25 * GCC with GCJ (http://gcc.gnu.org/java/)
26 * Kaffe (http://www.kaffe.org/)
28 Smaller environments (runtime only, no compilers, no tools) which work
29 with this GNU Classpath releases include
30 (tested by and recommended for GNU Classpath hackers):
32 * JamVM (http://jamvm.sourceforge.net/)
33 * Jikes RVM (http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/oss/jikesrvm/)
34 * Kissme (http://kissme.sourceforge.net/)
36 In general the latest releases of the above VMs will work out of the box
37 with the latest GNU Classpath release (and in most cases directly with the
38 development sources from CVS).
40 Besides combining GNU Classpath with the runtimes and compilers above
41 you might want to add support for encryption libraries as provided by
42 GNU Crypto (http://www.gnu.org/software/gnu-crypto/).
43 And for additional extension libraries (mail, xml, activation, infobus,
44 servlet) check out GNU ClasspathX (http://www.gnu.org/software/classpathx).
46 Some tools come with their own customized version of GNU Classpath.
47 Please check if there is a customised version available for the tool you
48 use before trying the bare bones GNU Classpath release. We are working with
49 the tool creators to keep the differences between the core classes as small
50 as possible. Please tell us if you make GNU Classpath work with a new tool.
52 Active projects which use modified versions of the Classpath libraries
53 some of which synchronizes with the Classpath CVS head every couple of weeks:
55 * IKVM.NET (http://www.ikvm.net/)
56 * JC (http://jcvm.sourceforge.net/)
57 * JNode (http://jnode.sourceforge.net/)
58 * MysaifuVM (http://www2s.biglobe.ne.jp/~dat/java/project/jvm/)
59 * SableVM (http://www.sablevm.org)
61 See for a more complete list of GNU Classpath based projects the
62 GNU Classpath website: http://www.gnu.org/software/classpath/stories.html
64 See the file INSTALL for details on installing GNU Classpath.
65 See the file NEWS for details on what is included in this release.
66 See the file TODO for the latest to do list.
67 See the file HACKING for working on (non-released) CVS development versions.
69 Homepage: http://www.gnu.org/software/classpath/
71 General Mailing List: classpath@gnu.org
72 --> Bugs and patches can be reported via Savannah if you have a browser
73 or via this address otherwise.
74 --> To subscribe send email to classpath-request@gnu.org with a
75 subject and body of "subscribe". To unsubscribe do the same,
76 only with a body and subject of "unsubscribe". This is a
77 smartlist managed mailing list.
79 CVS Commit, Bugs and Patches List: commit-classpath@gnu.org
80 --> To subscribe send email to commit-classpath-request@gnu.org with a
81 subject and body of "subscribe". To unsubscribe do the same,
82 only with a body and subject of "unsubscribe". This is a
83 smartlist managed mailing list.
86 --> export CVS_RSH="ssh"
87 --> cvs -z3 -d:ext:anoncvs@savannah.gnu.org:/cvsroot/classpath co classpath
88 --> More detailed instructions available on the Savannah project website.
89 http://savannah.gnu.org/projects/classpath/