Visual J++

Visual J++ is a discontinued Java compiler and tool from Microsoft. It was used to create programs that ran on Microsoft's Java Virtual Machine. Visual J++ also included a Visual J++ Class Libraries for Microsoft Windows. These libraries were a set of COM components that could be used from Visual J++ or any other COM-compliant language. Microsoft first released Visual J++ in 1996. Visual J++ 1.1 was released in 1997 and was the last version of the product. In 1999, Microsoft stopped supporting Visual J++ and released the source code for the product to the public. Visual J++ is based on the Java Development Kit from Sun Microsystems. However, Visual J++ included several features that were not part of the JDK. These features made it easier to create Windows-based programs. Visual J++ also included support for ActiveX controls. This allowed Visual J++ programs to use ActiveX controls created in other languages, such as Visual Basic. Microsoft discontinued Visual J++ because the company wanted to focus on its .NET platform. .NET is a different platform for creating programs. It is not based on Java. Visual J++ is no longer available from Microsoft. However, the product is still available from some third-party websites.