Name: jl125535 Date: 01/29/2003


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 :
Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]

ADDITIONAL OPERATING SYSTEMS :
any that support environment variables


A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM :
getenv was removed a long time ago and the workaround
suggested by Sun (java -D...) can be painful when you have
a large number of environment variables that need to be
passed in.

A suggustion is to modify the launcher code for the VM to
perform the getenv call and build all the -Ds that are
needed. Perhaps the variables could start with "env." -
this keeps them clear and makes life easy for the security
manager to block access to them if so desired (applets for
example).

REPRODUCIBILITY :
This bug can be reproduced always.

---------- BEGIN SOURCE ----------
pseudocode for the change to the launcher is:

void add_env_vars(...)
{
   env = getenv(); /* C code so this call works :-) */
   
   for each var
      add a -Denv.<key>=<value>
}

The key and value are obtained from the getenv call.
---------- END SOURCE ----------

CUSTOMER WORKAROUND :
Pass a large number of unknow and ever changing variables
via -D.

Write your own launcher to do the same thing - not
portable.
(Review ID: 153670)
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