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Netscape Directory SDK 4.0 for Java Source Code Release Notes

Last Updated September 15, 1999

These release notes contain information about:

For the latest documentation, see the Netscape Directory SDK 4.0 for Java Programmer's Guide, which is available on Netscape DevEdge Online.

Reference materials for the Directory SDK 4.0 for Java are produced using the Javadoc utility. They are available in the /dist/doc/ directory where you installed the SDK or online at: http://developer.netscape.com/docs/manuals/dirsdk/jsdk40/Reference/index.html.

If you only want the Netscape Directory SDK 4.0 for Java (not the source code), you can dowload it from Netscape DevEdge.

What's New in Version 4.0

The Netscape Directory SDK 4.0 for Java provides programmers with the tools to develop directory-enabled software. This release includes:

  • Application Program Interface (API) updates to match the newest LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) internet drafts
  • an asynchronous interface to LDAP
  • a new SASL (Simple Authentication and Security Layer) API
  • the Netscape LDAP Service Provider for JNDI (Java Naming and Directory Interface).

Additional improvements and changes to the Directory SDK are listed under Bugs Fixed Since Version 3.05.

API updates

The Netscape Directory SDK 4.0 for Java supports these changes to the LDAP API:

  • Sophisticated client-side management of referral authentication using the LDAPBind interface.
  • Dynamic registration and instantiation of server response controls using the register and newInstance methods of LDAPControl.
  • The separation of the constraint class into LDAPConstraints and its subclass LDAPSearchConstraints. LDAPConstraints contains only those methods implemented in the interface that apply to all operations. LDAPSearchConstraints is unchanged. All LDAPConnection methods that used to take LDAPSearchConstraints as an argument (except for read and search methods) now pass LDAPConstraintsinstead.
  • When using LDAPConnection for searching, retrieval of server response controls is now handled by LDAPSearchResults. Although the SDKis backward compatible, you should call LDAPSearchResults.getResponseControls() instead of LDAPConnection.getResponseControls()when writing new code.
  • LDAPConnection.getServerControls() now automatically parses controls. As a result, calling parseResponse() is no longer necessary.
  • Support for transparent failover connection policies. The available policies are: (1) serial, (2) parallel with no delay, and (3) parallel with delay.For more information, see LDAPConnection.setConnSetupDelay() in the javadocs.
  • LDAPConnection has a new method called reconnect(). This method first disconnects and then connects and binds again using the sameparameters and mechanisms as the original connection.
  • Support for connection pools. For more information see netscape.ldap.util.ConnectionPool in the javadocs.
  • The addition of LDAPInterruptedException, which is thrown if an LDAP operation is interrupted.
  • The addition of LDAPProxiedAuthControl, which can execute operations, using different credentials, without rebinding.
  • LDAPConnection now runs as a daemon thread. You no longer need to call System.exit when terminating your program.

Asynchronous API

The Netscape Directory SDK 4.0 for Java provides an interface called LDAPAsynchronousConnection. This interface contains methods for performing LDAP operations asynchronously. Instead of blocking while waiting for a response, methods in LDAPAsynchronousConnection return control to an application before they complete. For more information on the asynchronous interface, see "Using the Asynchronous Interface" in the Netscape Directory SDK 4.0 for Java Programmer's Guide.

SASL API

SASL allows clients and servers to communicate securely. The API accomplishes this by finding a common authentication scheme and facilitating a series of challenge and response interchanges between the client and server. If these interchanges complete successfully, the client is authenticated. For more information on SASL see "Using SASL Authentication" in the Netscape Directory SDK 4.0 for Java Programmer's Guide.

JNDI Service Provider for LDAP

JNDI is a Java API that provides a common way for programmers to access a variety of naming and directory services. This is accomplished via a layer of software called a Service Provider. The Directory SDK includes a Service Provider for LDAP.

The following JNDI features are not implemented in this release of the Netscape LDAP Service Provider:

  • Support for federated names
  • Support for the "code base" attribute for objects stored in an LDAP directory. The class name specified by the javaClassName attribute must existin the local CLASSPATH
  • The search() method for schema directory contexts. To perform searches in a schema directory context use a Context.lookup()request instead of DirContext.search().

For more information see "Using the JNDI Service Provider" in the Netscape Directory SDK 4.0 for Java Programmer's Guide.

Downloading and Building the Source

The Directory SDK source code is available on the Mozilla website. You can download it at http://www.mozilla.org/directory/javasdk.html.

Follow the instructions at http://www.mozilla.org/directory/buildjsdk-4.0.txt to build the Netscape Directory SDK.

Updating Java Classes in Netscape Communicator

The LDAP Java classes contained in Netscape Communicator 4.7 and earlier are outdated. You can upgrade these class files to the latest versions using Communicator's SmartUpdate feature.

The SmartUpdate page for the LDAP Java classes is at: http://developer.netscape.com/software/ldap/ldap.html

Note: This page uses Communicator's SmartUpdate feature to update the classes. Before visiting this page, you must enable SmartUpdate, Java, JavaScript, and cookies in Communicator.

To enable SmartUpdate, Java, JavaScript, and cookies:

  • Go to the Edit menu and choose Preferences.
  • Select Advanced and make sure that Accept all cookies is active (it's radio button is filled).
  • Make sure that Enable Java and Enable JavaScript are checked.
  • Choose Advanced | SmartUpdate from the left-hand panel.
  • Make sure that Enable SmartUpdate is checked.
  • Click OK.

Bugs Fixed Since Version 3.05

The following bugs have been fixed since the release of the Directory SDK 3.05 for Java. Bug numbers are shown in parentheses.

  • LDAPSearchResults.getCount() returns 0 for synchronous searches. (355365)
  • Applets in Communicator can't fetch an error string. (351004)
  • DN.contains() is implemented and documented incorrectly. (354615)
  • Search timeout is not handled correctly. (350998)
  • LDAPSchemaElement needs a modify() method. (350997)
  • LDAPBasePropertySupport should enable referrals. (350996, 350995)
  • Cannot set the cache once LDAPConnection has connected. (355904)
  • LDAPCache changes the contents of returned attributes. (355942)
  • The SDK calls Thread.stop(), suspend(), and resume(). (354503)
  • VLV controls don't support the optional context field. (355215)
  • The SDK doesn't support all the schema options described in RFC 2252. (354347)
  • LDAP Beans don't handle referrals. (353306)
  • LDAPIsMember doesn't handle dynamic groups. (353305)
  • The netscape.ldap.util.DN class does not consider "" to be a valid DN. (352804)
  • LDAPCompareAttrNames should allow for the specification of a locale. (351022)
  • LDAPSearch aborts on a size limit exception. (350624)
  • LDAPModificationSet is missing a toString method. (353308, 351719)
  • LDAPGetEntries should allow a choice of which attributes to return. (353307)
  • The SDK should support the latest LDIF specification. (356470, 352056)
  • The SDK should treat a "null" filter as meaning "objectclass=*". (354682)
  • LDAPSchema contains unnecessary public "add" methods. (354997)

Reporting Problems

Please submit your problem via the the Bugzilla bugsystem. Use the "LDAP Java SDK" component.

Accessing the Directory Developers Newsgroup

If you have additional questions or need more information about the Netscape Directory SDK 4.0 for Java, please visit the Mozilla Directory newsgroup and the DevEdge Directory Server newsgroups.

Contains OROMatcher® regular expression software from ORO Java Software. © Copyright 1997 by ORO Java Software.
Redistribution separate from Netscape Directory SDK for Java or direct use of OROMatcher interfaces
requires a license from ORO Java Software. http://www.oroinc.com. OROMatcher® is a trademark of Original Reusable Objects, Inc.