FULL PRODUCT VERSION :
java version "1.6.0_07"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.6.0_07-b06)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 10.0-b23, mixed mode, sharing)

ADDITIONAL OS VERSION INFORMATION :
Microsoft Windows [Version 6.0.6001]

EXTRA RELEVANT SYSTEM CONFIGURATION :
Nothing in particular: dual core,

A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM :
In a little demo program, main creates a javax.swing.Timer object. After starting it with a start(), the main exits. The Timer doesn't start, no actionPerformed occurs.

STEPS TO FOLLOW TO REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM :
create an javax.swing.Timer object, with anonymous inner class actionPreformed.
Execute the object's start() method.
Exit the main.
(see supplied code)

EXPECTED VERSUS ACTUAL BEHAVIOR :
EXPECTED -
Expect the timer to start running and continue to run.
ACTUAL -
Main exits, timer does not execute.

ERROR MESSAGES/STACK TRACES THAT OCCUR :
no output

REPRODUCIBILITY :
This bug can be reproduced always.

---------- BEGIN SOURCE ----------
import javax.swing.*;
import java.awt.event.*;
// Shows bug in swing Timer, by Michael Floeser.
public class TimerSwingTest
{
private static int swingCount = 0;
public static void main(String [] args)
{ // 1000 time here, <=999 it keeps going with Thread.sleep, otherwise exits.
javax.swing.Timer swingTime = new javax.swing.Timer( 1000, new ActionListener() {
public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent ae)
{
System.out.println("Swing time count = " + ++swingCount );
}
} );

swingTime.start();

// sleep below <1000, (eg: 500), or removed, thread doesn't run
// =1000-IllegalStateException
// >1000-(eg: 2000) runs, but frequently exists ~1 minute or less
// try{ Thread.sleep(2000); }
// catch(Exception e){System.out.println("Sleep exception");}
}
}
---------- END SOURCE ----------

CUSTOMER SUBMITTED WORKAROUND :
Adding the Thread.sleep(2000) has it run, but frequently exists after about a minute. Sometimes it exists between 20 and 80 seconds, sometimes it goes longer.