J2SE

A Java keyword used in a class definition to specify that a class is not to be instantiated, but rather inherited by other classes. An abstract class can have abstract methods that are not implemented in the abstract class, but in subclasses.

A collection of graphical user interface (GUI) components that were implemented using native-platform versions of the components. These components provide that subset of functionality which is common to all native platforms. Largely supplanted by the Project Swing component set. See also Swing.

Automatic conversion between reference and primitive types.

The process by which an entity proves to another entity that it is acting on behalf of a specific identity.

A Java keyword included in the class declaration to specify any interfaces that are implemented by the current class.

A two-argument Java keyword that tests whether the runtime type of its first argument is assignment compatible with its second argument.

Refers to an operation that is never interrupted or left in an incomplete state under any circumstance.

The methods by which interactions with resources are limited to collections of users or programs for the purpose of enforcing integrity, confidentiality, or availability constraints.

The acronym for the four properties guaranteed by transactions: atomicity, consistency, isolation, and durability.

The arguments specified in a particular method call. See also formal parameter list.

Application Programming Interface. The specification of how a programmer writing an application accesses the behavior and state of classes and objects.

American Standard Code for Information Interchange. A standard assignment of 7-bit numeric codes to characters. See also Unicode.

A component that typically executes in a Web browser, but can execute in a variety of other applications or devices that support the applet programming model.

A Java keyword used to define a collection of method definitions and constant values. It can later be implemented by classes that define this interface with the "implements" keyword.

Any method that is invoked with respect to an instance of a class. Also called simply a method. See also class method.

Internet Protocol. The basic protocol of the Internet. It enables the unreliable delivery of individual packets from one host to another. It makes no guarantees about whether or not the packet will be delivered, how long it will take, or if multiple packets will arrive in the order they were sent. Protocols built on top of this add the notions of connection and reliability. See also TCP/IP.

The Software Development Kit (SDK) is development environment for building applications, applets, and components using the Java programming language. This SDK provides a reference implementation of the J2SE platform.

A test suite, a set of tools, and other requirements used to certify a Java platform implementation conformant both to the applicable Java platform specifications and to Java Software reference implementations.

A set of technologies for creating and safely running software programs in both stand-alone and networked environments.

Document Object Model. A tree of objects with interfaces for traversing the tree and writing an XML version of it, as defined by the W3C specification.