Introduction

The purpose of this document is to introduce you to:

To help achieve these goals, we guide you through creating a simple Java applet. Then we guide you through adding features to this applet.

What this document includes

This document is divided into these sections:

More information about VisualAge for Java describes the online help that comes with VisualAge for Java. It also gives you details on printing material from the online help.

Sample programs in this document

By doing the exercises in this document, starting with Introduction to building your first applet, you will create a sample program called To-Do List. You can find a completed version of this example as com.ibm.ivj.examples.vc.todolist in the IBM Java Examples project shipped with VisualAge for Java. See Examining examples in the repository for details on how to examine the completed version of this example.

Starting with Overview of data access beans in action, you will use the sample database shipped with DB2 Universal Database to build a simple query program called StaffList.

Who this document is for

This document is written for programmers who want to become familiar with the basic use of VisualAge for Java, and for anyone who wants an overall perspective on the product. It introduces you to the basic concepts behind building programs using VisualAge for Java, explains the general process of visual programming with VisualAge for Java, and walks you through a sample program. To get the most out of this document, you should be familiar with the basics of the Java language.

About this product

VisualAge for Java is a complete, integrated environment for creating Java applications and applets.

VisualAge for Java gives you interactive visual programming tools and a set of JavaBeans that represent common interface components. You create programs by assembling and connecting beans. In many cases, you may not even have to write code. When you do need to write code, VisualAge for Java provides a state-of-the-art, integrated development environment in which to do your coding.

Conventions used in this document

The following typographical conventions are used in the text:


Highlight style Used for
Boldface Items you can select, such as buttons and menu choices
Italics Special emphasis
Method names in general discussion. Method names that you can select in the VisualAge for Java environment, however, are in boldface, and method names in code samples are in monospace font.
Property and event names
New terms the first time they are used
Monospace font Examples of Java code
Text that you can enter