Can I use Data Object Reporting (DOR) with JDK/JRE 1.4.x series from Sun?

Download PDF version of this faq: DORwithJDKorJRE_1.4.pdf
FAQ# 27-05090303

Issue
The Parallel Crystal client (middle-tier) library requires a minimum of Java Run-Time Environment (JRE) 1.2 or higher. It works well with Sun's JRE 1.3.x releases as well. However, Dynalivery does not certify it for use with Sun's JRE 1.4.0 and 1.4.1.According to our internal testing, there are compatibility issues in certain cases between the free Java ORB Sun embeds in the JRE 1.4 and the open source TAO C++ ORB 1.1 that Dynalivery has elected to embed in its report server framework

Dynalivery's successor to Parallel Crystal, Harmoni 1.0 will embed TAO 1.2 which we believe will be fully compatible with Sun JRE 1.4 and remove these constraints.

In the interim, we recommend an alternative to make Sun's JRE 1.4 work with Parallel Crystal by changing your Java Virtual Machine's runtime ORB to open source JacORB wherever possible. Some Web/Portal Servers like IBM WebSphere and Novell eXtend (SilverStream) have their proprietary ORB's tightly bound to their applications and hence they might not be flexible to change their runtime ORB’s. However, Web/Portal Servers like BEA WebLogic or open source JBoss indeed have the flexibility to change their default Java ORB's easily.

Will DOR work with IBM JRE 1.3.1+ with PCRE v2.7.1/3.7.1 JAR client?
PCRE 3.7.1 will not be compatible with IBM JRE 1.3.1+ and the IBM Component Broker Java ORB. It is compatible with the IBM JRE 1.4 and the open source JacORB Java ORB. However, our understanding is that WebSphere 5 may not allow you the flexibility to change the underlying ORB.

The reason for this incompatibility is that Dynalivery uses the 1.1 version of the TAO open source, C++ ORB in the report server itself. For more information on TAO please refer to the OCI web site: http://www.ociweb.com/product/index.html

Fortunately, the successor to PCRE 3.7.1 is Harmoni. Harmoni will be based on TAO 1.2 and therefore should work well with WebSphere 5 and IBM JRE 1.4. For information on Harmoni please refer to our web site:
http://www.dynalivery.com/products/parallelcrystal/Harmoni_PCRE/HarmoniFramework.jpg

For instructions on how to change the run-time ORB to JacORB see this FAQ:
http://www.dynalivery.com/customersupport/faq/RunTime_ORB.html