Next Release of JDK Software Provides the Foundation for the Development and Deployment of Mission-Critical Applications

TORONTO, December 9, 1998 -- Symantec Corporation (Nasdaq: SYMC) has announced full support for the next release of Sun Microsystems, Inc.'s Java Development Kit (JDK version 1.2) in its line of Visual Café Java Development tools. The next release of the JDK provides a rich feature set of new class libraries and tools, making it easier than ever for developers to create portable, distributed, enterprise-class applications.

"The next version of the JDK marks an important step forward for the Java software community by providing the foundation for a platform-independent architecture for development and deployment of enterprise solutions," said Mansour Safai, vice president and general manager of Symantec's Internet Tools division. "We look forward to the flexibility and productivity benefits that JDK version 1.2 will provide to customers using our currently available Visual Café 3.0 development tools, as well as our forthcoming Visual Café Enterprise Suite product, which makes developing distributed applications with Java technology look and feel like writing an application for one machine."

"Symantec recognises the business value that the Java platform, particularly the next release of the JDK, holds for the enterprise," said Jon Kannegaard, vice president and general manager of the Java platform at Sun Microsystems, Inc.'s Java Software. "We are pleased that Symantec is providing enterprise software developers with development tools that support the latest JDK and Java platform features."

Symantec's Visual Café environment has been the #1-selling Java development tools for three years in a row. Today more developers use Symantec's award-winning products than any other Java development tool. A reason for this success is that Symantec has consistently met users' requirements for flexibility in the use of Sun's Java Development Kit. Visual Café lets developers plug in any JDK version from 1.1x to version 1.2, which enables them to take advantage of the latest Java technology available from Sun.

The Visual Café family of products is the fastest Java development tool for building corporate database-enabled solutions. The latest version, 3.0, features a comprehensive suite of wizards, utilities, templates and a professional library of 200+ JavaBeans, all of which work together to accelerate the development, debugging and deployment of Java applications and servlets. Visual Café also includes the industry's best JFC/Swing support, fully embracing the new JFC/Swing classes throughout its environment including unique direct support for the Swing data model.

About Symantec's Internet Tools Division
The Symantec Internet Tools Division pioneered the Java development tools market by delivering the first development product for Java in March 1996. Since then, the division has continued to develop, market and support a complete line of Java development tools worldwide, bringing the latest advances in Java technology to Internet developers. Symantec's suite of Java development tools includes Visual Café Enterprise Suite, Visual Café Database Edition, Visual Café Professional Edition, Visual Café Standard Edition and Visual Page.

About Symantec in Canada:
With 250 employees, Symantec's Canadian operations are headquartered in Toronto with offices in Montreal, Ottawa and Vancouver. For information on Symantec products or current promotions, contact the Canadian office at (416) 441-3676 or access Symantec's Canadian Wide Site. Symantec is an active member of the Canadian Alliance Against Software Theft (CAAST).

About Symantec
Symantec is the world leader in utility software for business and personal computing. Symantec products and solutions help make users productive and keep their computers safe and reliable anywhere and anytime. Symantec offers a broad range of solutions and is acclaimed as a leader in both customer satisfaction and product brand recognition. Symantec is traded on Nasdaq under the symbol SYMC. More information on the company and its products can be obtained at www.symantec.com.

Founded in 1982, the company's global operations span North America, Europe, Japan and several fast growing markets throughout Asia Pacific and Latin America. Traded on Nasdaq under the symbol SYMC, Symantec Corporation is based in Cupertino, Calif., and employs more than 2,000 people. Information on the company and its products can be obtained by calling (800) 441-7234 toll free, (541) 334-6054 or accessed on the World Wide Web.

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