SmartJ : Java Glossary

It forgives most errors with current directory, classpath, package naming and extensions. Think of it as training wheels.

SmartJ allows you to switch between Java version 1.1 and 1.2 without messing with any environment variables. It’s just SmartJ -1 Myclass or SmartJ -2 Myclass. Also, by default, it tells you what JVM you’re using and what the CLASSPATH is, which may help you avoid confusion about what JVM and/or build you are currently testing.

SmartJ makes the CLASSPATH mess much more manageable. In fact, SmartJ pretty much eliminates the need for a CLASSPATH environment variable, since it transparently sets up a valid CLASSPATH every time you launch a java class. After installing SmartJ, .class files can be launched by a double-click in the Windows explorer, whether they are set up on the CLASSPATH or not!

SmartJC is a replacement for Javac that has the extra feature that you can also give it one or more directories as an argument. It recompiles all out-of-date source files in a directory and its subdirectories. Before invoking the compiler, it looks at all the source files and, based on the package they are in, it sets up a valid CLASSPATH. So again, you don’t need a CLASSPATH set up. In fact, SmartJC in many cases will eliminate the need to use any complicated make or build tools.

If smartj picks up the wrong jvm, use regedit to make sure that HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\JavaSoft entries are pointing to your desired jvm.