Originally included with the Microsoft® SDK for Java, Version 2.0 and Microsoft® Internet Explorer 4.0, the new Microsoft SDK for AFC includes a comprehensive collection of Java class libraries that helps developers quickly create commercial-quality, cross-platform Java applications. The release includes the AFC GUI Libraries -- a rich set of graphics and user interface class libraries -- that contain a set of prebuilt user interface components. The components, including toolbars, tabbed dialog boxes, and tree controls can often be added to a Java application with a single instruction.
The previous version of AFC was compatible with JDK 1.1. After doing some additional compatibility work, a second version was released for JDK 1.0.2-compatible virtual machines. If you are creating applets for either JDK 1.0.2-compatible or JDK 1.1-compatible virtual machines, you can get a copy of Microsoft SDK for AFC 1.0 from the 
Application Foundation Classes download page.
Two articles from industry publications provide good background information on AFC:
Writing for Computer Shopper, Rich Dragan compared Microsoft's Application Foundation Class (AFC) and the Advanced Window Toolkit (AWT) that Java developers have been working with. He concluded that "[It] overcomes limitations of Java AWT that drive programmers crazy. . . . AFC will be a clear win for both end users and developers." Read his 
column (August 1997) for more details.
Columnist Simson Garfinkel of Hotwired spent an afternoon in Redmond visiting with Microsoft's AFC team. "I've got to admit I walked away impressed," he wrote. His article Mea Culpa: AFC Ain't So Bad (March 1997) explains why.
For a more comprehensive technical overview of AFC, there are two Microsoft links that will provide everything you need:
The AFC information page is a great place to start for online information on the Application Foundation Classes -- including the latest information on the Microsoft SDK for AFC.
To get a copy of the Microsoft SDK for AFC 1.0, visit the Application Foundation Classes download page.
Below, you'll find links to past Microsoft press releases related to AFC:
Microsoft Releases Latest SDK for Java
October 7, 1997 -- Microsoft today announced the release of the SDK for Java, version 2.0. The SDK includes final versions of Microsoft's virtual machine (Microsoft VM), Application Foundation Classes (AFC), and J/Direct™ application programming interface.
Microsoft Acquires Cooper & Peters; Leading Component Developers to Join Microsoft AFC Effort
June 13, 1997 -- Microsoft announces its acquisition of Cooper & Peters Inc., a leading developer of object-oriented user-interface framework technologies for Java and Smalltalk.
Momentum Surges for Microsoft Application Foundation Classes
June 9, 1997 -- More than 100 top commercial Java developers are now committed to Microsoft Application Foundation Classes (AFC) Libraries and the Microsoft VM.
Microsoft Releases Developer Preview of Application Foundation Classes for Java; Top Java Developers Demonstrate Support for Microsoft's Class Libraries
April 2, 1997 -- With more than 30 prebuilt, reusable user interface components -- from toolbars and tree controls to tabbed dialog boxes -- Microsoft Application Foundation Classes (AFC) help make developers more productive, allowing them to focus on application-specific features that add the greatest value to their products.
Microsoft Extends Application Foundation Classes for Java to Ease Development of Distributed Enterprise Applications
April 2, 1997 -- The Microsoft Application Foundation Classses (AFC) Enterprise Libraries give corporate developers a complete set of industrial-strength Java class libraries for today's distributed computing environments.
Microsoft Announces, Demonstrates Application Foundation Classes Comprehensive Set of Cross-Platform Class Libraries for Java
January 21, 1997 -- Designed from the ground up, these high-performance, value-added class libraries offer richer graphics, and user interface and multimedia functionality that can run on any platform or browser that supports Java.
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