Name: nt126004 Date: 07/09/2002


FULL PRODUCT VERSION :
java version "1.4.0"
Java(TM) 2 Runtime Environment, Standard Edition (build 1.4.0-b92)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 1.4.0-b92, mixed mode)


FULL OPERATING SYSTEM VERSION :

Windows 98 [Version 4.10.2222]

A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM :
1. Java 1.4 hangs the applet (or the applet GUI) when the
applet attempts to load images. The attached sample applet
demonstrates this.

--> The problem is a new 1.4 behavior that I think is just wrong wrong
wrong. In 1.4 in the ocx, getImage() DOES NOT RETURN until the entire image
has been fully loaded. This is critical to understand. getImage() is an
asynchronous function call. However, the 1.4 plugin really does turn it
into a synchronous function call (waits until the image data is FULLY
downloaded -- not good). That is just wrong and must change. Testers will
never see this problem unless testing on a slow modem line, which I know is
a huge issue with any applet developer.

Sorry, in my 'appletlock' I am experimenting with a workaround, but try this
on for size:

http://www.duckware.com/bugs/nodisplay.html

=========================================
import java.awt.*;
import java.applet.*;

public class nodisplay extends Applet {
    private Image m_image;
    public void paint( Graphics g ) {
        g.setColor( Color.red );
        g.fillRect( 0, 0, 1000, 1000 );
        if (m_image==null) {
            System.out.println( "+getimage" );
            m_image = getImage( getDocumentBase(), "test.gif" );
            System.out.println( "-getimage" );
            }
        System.out.println( "+draw" );
        g.drawImage( m_image, 0, 0, this );
        System.out.println( "-draw" );
        }
    }
=========================================

Sorry, but you will only see what is happening if you are on a modem line...

2d is not an issue since this is the Java 1.1 API for applets, but your new
plugin must support! Also, if you are curious, check out my duckware
applets. I do know a thing or two about high performance graphics (but of
course, use a Java 1.1 VM to view the applets as Java 1.4 busts all of my
applets!!! -- for which I am attempting to find workarounds).

- Jerry

2. It appears that the 1.4 plug-in attempts to
display what images are being loaded within a 'status
window' in the applet window. This is a huge problem and a
major step backwards for ALL applets. What about applets
that present a GUI and load images in the background? What
about applets that display images as they are loaded (like
an object movie)? What about slideshow applets? Do not
hijack the applet GUI away from programmers -- we know what
we are doing. Not all images loaded by an applet are
needed at startup, which it appears your change to the
applet GUI incorrectly assumes.

3. Related to (2), the 'status line' displays a status of
everything that is loading (classes/images/etc). The
status line is incorrectly 'global' and should be local to
the applet. Consider a web page that contains two (or
more) applets. Applet 1 can/does dispaly a status line for
an image that is being loaded in Applet 2.

REGRESSION. Last worked in version 1.3

STEPS TO FOLLOW TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM :
1. Put attached applet onto a web page
2. Place a large image alongside the applet (eg: test.jpg)
3. Run applet, notice the applet GUI is active
4. In the applet TextField, type "test.jpg" (or any other
image name on the server) and press enter
5. Notice the applet GUI locks up until the image is 100%
loaded

EXPECTED VERSUS ACTUAL BEHAVIOR :
Expected: The GUI must not lock up. The applet should
continue to run while images load.

This bug can be reproduced always.

---------- BEGIN SOURCE ----------
import java.awt.*;
import java.applet.*;

public class appletlock extends Applet implements Runnable {
    private TextField iEdit = new TextField();
    private String m_name;
    private Image m_image;

    //----------------------------------------------------------------------
    public void init() {
        iEdit.setBackground(Color.white);
        setLayout( new BorderLayout() );
        add( "South", iEdit );
        new Thread(this).start();
        }
    //----------------------------------------------------------------------
    public boolean action( Event evt, Object o ) {
        if (evt.target==iEdit) {
            m_name = iEdit.getText();
            iEdit.setText("");
            repaint();
            }
        return true;
        }
    //----------------------------------------------------------------------
    public void run() {
        for (int loop=0; ;++loop) {
            int v = 128+(loop%16)*8;
            setBackground( new Color(v,v,v) );
            repaint();
            try { Thread.sleep(100); } catch (Exception e) {}
            }
        }
    //----------------------------------------------------------------------
    public void paint( Graphics g ) {
        if (m_name!=null) {
            m_image = getImage(getDocumentBase(),m_name);
            m_name = null;
            }
        if (m_image!=null) {
            g.drawImage( m_image, 0, 0, this );
            }
        }
    }
}

---------- END SOURCE ----------
(Review ID: 148118)
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