Strategi Applet and Apple Macintosh Compatibility
Product: Strategi
Modified Date:

Overview

Macintosh support for the Strategi client applet is improving day to day. Although the Strategi 5250 emulation applet is certified 100% Java compliant by Sun Microsystems, the base requirement remains that the JVM responsible for executing the applet code be 100% compliant as well. The compatibility/compliancy of the JVM is what will dictate proper versus improper applet behavior. To determine current compatibility we base our testing using the following Macintosh configuration:

iMac


We have performed testing using the most recent versions of Microsoft Internet Explorer, Netscape Communicator, and Sun Microsystem's Hotjava 3.0 browsers. We then upgraded our OS to 8.6, reinstalled JVM 2.2. Our current finding on each is detailed below:

Netscape Communicator 4.73
Although the applet will successfully load and authenticate a user, only input fields are visible. No display text is available. Further testing will not resume until this condition can be rectified.

Internet Explorer 5.0
This browser has been improving consistently with regards to the JVM support that the applet requires. Some reviews raved 5.0 was the best browser ever. Our testing procedures have revealed the current capabilities and limitations with respect to the Strategi 5250 client applet:

  • OK: applet initialization and startup
  • OK: applet authentication and signon
  • OK: function key availability
  • OK: f-key buttons in GUI mode
  • OK: page up/down scrolling
  • OK: macro playing in signed applet (see MISC below)
  • OK: dynamic resizing of applet window
  • OK: SSL session establishment
  • OK: keypad numerics
  • FAIL: applet additional functions popup
  • FAIL: file retrieval via *PUSHFEED HTML/HSM resource page
  • FAIL: file retrieval via applet
  • FAIL: image support within DDS
  • FAIL: copy/paste functionality in signed applet
  • MISC: browser must be restarted to reload the applet
  • MISC: attempting to store macros crashes OS requiring cold boot
  • MISC: applet window is larger than actual display on bottom and left borders

    Currently, both the GUI and green screen version appear usable in pure 5250 applications. File retrieval is unavailable due to point and click with the mouse isn't recognized within the java applet window. Neither IE or Hotjava seem to like running the movie demo, although IE did do a better job of it.

    Sun Microsystems Hotjava 3.0
    This is a 100% Java browser which has shown to be slower performance wise during typical http retrieval and page display but has proven relatively solid with respect to JVM support. Our testing procedures have revealed the current capabilities and limitations with respect to the Strategi 5250 client applet:

  • OK: applet initialization and startup
  • OK: applet authentication and signon
  • OK: function key availability
  • OK: f-key buttons in GUI mode
  • OK: applet additional functions popup
  • OK: dynamic resizing of applet window
  • OK: file retrieval via *PUSHFEED HTML/HSM resource page
  • OK: file retrieval via applet
  • OK: image support within DDS
  • OK: proper alignment of text and input fields in GUI mode
  • OK: play macro in signed applet
  • OK: keypad numerics
  • FAIL: page up/down scrolling
  • FAIL: SSL session establishment (SSL not available in version tested)
  • FAIL: keypad enter displays invalid character
  • FAIL: copy/paste functionality in signed applet
  • MISC: attempting to store macros crashes browser, but can reinitialize browser then play macro

    Currently, the green screen version appears usable in pure 5250 applications and file transfer functionality is available in both the applet and HTML/HSM *PUSHFEED types of applications.

    Summary

    During our testing we have had the most success with the Hotjava browser from Sun Microsystems. Upgrading the Browser had a bigger impact then updating the OS. We periodically test the Macintosh environment and will post updates to this document as soon as possible. We are willing to compare findings on other Macintosh platforms, OS versions, browsers, JVMs etc and will work with our customers to find the most usable environment for the Strategi applet to function as expected. .

    Please contact our support staff if you have further questions regarding the Macintosh and Strategi compatibility or are aware of improvements in either JVM or browser support.

    ** End of Technical Support Bulletin **