I am writing a desktop application written in Swing developed using Java 1.5. Some of the users seem to be using Mac, but I am interested in Java 6's scripting feature (Java 6 ships with Rhino). Java 6, although it came out almost 2 years ago, doesn't seem to be widely in use. I also hear Apple ships Java 6 only for Intel 64 Macs only. Is Java 1.5 the last Java that runs everywhere?
Is Java 6 ready for end-user desktop application now? If not now, when?
Edit: Don't get too hung up on the fact that I am using Swing. I would like to know when Java 6 can be considered ready for prime time, not the choice of UI library.
As far as I know, it already is, and has been for some time now. Swing's just fine for writing native looking apps.
It is true though, that if you are targeting older Macs, you'll never be able to use Java 6.
Are you asking about Java 6 Update 10 (AKA, the consumer oriented JRE)? That just came out, and is unavailable for Macs yet, but I don't think that should affect you, really.