CH 4: Getting started with IDE

Getting started with IDE

v RAD: Rapid Application Development is software programming technique that allows quick development of software application.

v Integrated Development Environment (IDE): It is a software tool to help programmer to edit, compile, interpret and debug the program in the same environment. i.e Eclipse, NetBeans, VB etc.

v JAVA is an Object Oriented programming language as well a platform. By using JAVA, we can write various types of Application program for any type of OS and Hardware.

v JAVA was started with a project (Green) to find to write applications for electronic devices like TV-Set top Box etc by James Gosling in 1991. Which was originally named Oak later renamed with JAVA.

v The main features of Java are 1. Platform Independent 2. Open Source 3. Write Once run Any Where (WORA) 4. Light weight code 5. Security.

v JAVA uses both Compiler and Interpreter. Compiler converts Source code in Byte Code which is interpreted and executed by the Java Virtual Machine (JVM).

v Byte code: A byte code is machine instruction that the Java compiler generates and Java interpreter executes. When the compiler compiles a .java file, it produces a series of byte codes and stores them in a .class file. The Java interpreter (JVM) can execute the byte codes stored in the .class file. This makes Java program platform independent.

v JVM: Java Virtual Machine (JVM) is a program which behaves as interpreter and translates the byte code into machine language as they go called just in time compilation.

v GUI: A graphical user interface (GUI) presents a pictorial interface to a program. GUI allows the user to spend less time trying to remember which keystroke sequences do what and spend more time using the program in a productive manner.

v JAVA uses 2-Byte UNICODE character set, which supports almost all characters in almost all languages like English,Chinese, Arbic etc. This makes Java a Global Language.

v Forms: Forms are used to accept data (input) and submit data to an external agent for processing. A JFrame Form acts as a container to place other components like the button, text field and text area

v Project : A project in Netbeans acts as a storage place for all the forms and codes created in one application

v The Palette Window contains a customizable list of available components containing tabs for JFC/Swing, AWT, and JavaBeans components, as well as layout managers.

v The Swing Controls can be differentiated from other components as they are preceded with a 'j' like jButton and jTextField .

v The Source tab is used to view the Java source code and design tab is used to design the form.

v The Properties Window is used to display and edit the attributes of the currently selected component

v To execute a single file of an application press Shift +F6 or select Run>Run File

v GUI is an acronym for Graphical User Interface which is an interface that allows us to interact with the various components through visual elements including pictures, graphical icons, symbols and visual indicators.

v Graphical User Interface (GUI) based application contains Windows, Buttons, Text boxes, Dialogue boxes and Menus etc. While using a GUI application, when user performs an action, an Event is generated. Each time an Event occurs, it causes a Message which sent to OS to take action.

v The Netbeans IDE consists of The Design Area, the Inspector Window, the Palette and the Properties Window.