How to choose between Java 2 and JDK 1.1.x?

[empire]

Could anyone tell me the key benefits for Java 2 over JDK 1.1.x (I will use servlets, JSP, and JavaBean)? Does it worth to move to Java 2 (since my servers are supporting JDK 1.1.7 only)? And will I need great effort for upgrading my code from JDK 1.1.x to Java 2? Thanks!!

[trenchguinea]

The choice between Java 2 and Java 1.1 depends on your needs. Java 2 is definitely the way to go with application development. The Java 2 model contains many more sophistocated packages than the 1.1 model, such as the Graphics2D, printing, and Collections frameworks. Unfortunately, when it comes to internet programming, as it appears you are doing, most developers must suffer the limitations of the underlying browsers or servers. Since you said that your servers only support 1.1.7, then you are stuck at 1.1.7 until they improve. Of course, as soon as the Java technology settles enough for the browsers and back-end operating systems to catch up, I would recommend a swift move over to Java 2. Concerning the difficulty of code conversion, it's really a trivial thing. Fortunately, most of the methods that are deprecated were deprecated in 1.1, so all the code that currently works would still work in a Java 2 compiler. Of course, you wouldn't be taking full advantage of the Java 2 model. Conversions from AWT to Swing can take some time and there's a bit of a learning curve on the differences in the infrastructures between the two. Also, conversions from Vectors, arrays, and Hashtables to linked lists, array lists, sets, and maps can take a significant amount of restructuring. Such a conversion is not necessary unless you intend on developing an absolutely perfect infrastructure of your own. As a summary, all your current code should work without a hitch in the new compiler when it is finally time to upgrade. I hope that offers some help.