Glossary
- applet
-
A program, written in the Java programming language, that runs in a Web
browser.
- application
-
A standalone software program that enables the user to perform a
specific task, such as database management. See also distributed
application, enterprise application.
- application server
-
A host computer that provides access to software applications.
- AWT
-
(Abstract Window Tookit) An API that provides graphical user interfaces
for Java programs. It also provides imaging tools, event-handling
methods, layout managers, and data transfer classes. Components are
implemented using native-platform versions and have largely been
replaced by Swing components, which have a pluggable look and feel.
- bean
-
A component written to the JavaBeans specification. See JavaBeans
architecture.
- breakpoint
-
A flag in the source code that causes the debugger to pause execution
of the program at the point where the breakpoint is set.
- browser
-
Application that enables users to view, navigate through, and interact
with HTML documents and applets.
- class
-
A group of attributes and methods that defines the implementation of
a particular type of object.
- code generation
-
The creation of boilerplate source code associated with templates,
components, and layout managers in the IDE's Form Editor.
- component
-
An object that is identified by its properties, operations, and
relationships. For example, a button is a visual component. Its
properties include size, foreground, and background color.
- Component Inspector
-
A window for viewing both the visual (such as a button) and nonvisual
(such as a layout manager) components of an application. A component's
properties can be modified and events specified in this window.
- component palette
-
A collection of toolbars that provides easy access to frequently used
components, including AWT and Swing. A user interface is created by
clicking a component in the component palette and then the Form Editor
window.
- CVS
-
(Concurrent Versions System) A version control system that enables you
to save and retrieve different development versions of source code. It
also enables a team of developers to share control of different
versions of files in a common repository of files.
- container
-
A component that contains other components. Windows and dialog boxes are
examples of top-level containers. Panels, scroll panes, and tabbed
panes are intermediate-level containers.
- contextual menu
-
A menu that is displayed when a user right-clicks (presses mouse button
2) while the pointer is over an object or an area associated with that
menu. A contextual menu offers only items that are applicable to the
object or region at the location of the pointer.
- dock
-
To anchor an object, such as a toolbar, to the edge of the window or
pane to which it applies.
- distributed application
-
One of several interacting software components distributed across a
network or Internet environment. They execute on various computing
nodes, working together to fulfill business needs. Usually, a number
of Internet or intranet client components provide distributed
application services.
- dynamic code completion
-
The automatic completion of an expression as it is typed into the
Source Editor window. To use this feature, type the first few
characters of an expression, then press CTRL-SPACE. A list is
displayed of classes, methods, and variables that can be used to
complete the expression.
- enterprise application
-
An application that encompasses an entire enterprise, integrating many
departments, operations, or processes into a single system. Usually
includes many client user interfaces (including Web browser clients),
client applications that perform business logic, and data sources.
- event
-
An action to which an object can respond. Many events are initiated by
a user action, such as a click, key press, or mouse movement. Events
can also be initiated by the system, other objects, containers, the
application server, or even the operating system or environment.
- event handler
-
A method that is called when an event is triggered on a component.
- Explorer
-
A window in the IDE that provides a unified view of all objects and
files in the IDE. The Explorer window is a good starting point for
working with your application, including organizing files, editing
object properties, and creating component connections.
- Form Editor
-
A window in the IDE that enables you to create and modify a graphical
interface. You can select a component (such as a panel, scrollbar, or
menu) in the component palette and add it to the graphical interface
by clicking in the Form Editor window.
- JAR file (.jar)
-
(Java ARchive file) A file used for aggregating many files into
one file.
- JAR file format
-
(Java ARchive file format) A platform-independent file format that
aggregates many files into one. Multiple applets written in the Java
programming language, and their requisite components (class files,
images, sounds, and other resource files) can be bundled in a JAR file
and subsequently downloaded to a browser in a single HTTP
transaction. It also supports file compression and digital signatures.
- JavaBeans architecture
-
A portable, platform-independent, reusable component model. JavaBeans
components (sometimes referred to as "beans") are the basic unit in
this model.
- javadoc
-
A tool for creating HTML information about classes by excerpting
comments from a Java source code file.
- JLF
-
(Java look and feel) The default appearance and behavior for JFC
applications, designed for cross-platform use. The Java look and feel
works in the same way on any platform that supports the Java
Foundation classes.
- JFC
-
(Java Foundation Classes) An extension to the Abstract Window Toolkit
(AWT) that provides the Swing classes, a collection of graphical user
interface components with a pluggable look and feel. The Java
Foundation Classes (JFC) also provide the Java Accessibility API,
which can be used to create applications that interact with assistive
technologies. For the Java 2 platform, the JFC also includes the Java
2D API (for 2D graphics and imaging) and drag and drop.
- JPDA
-
(Java Platform Debugger Architecture) The debugging support included in
the Java 2 Platform, Standard Edition (J2SE SDK1.3). The JPDA
enhances the standard IDE debugger by enabling you to set a breakpoint
on a class, thread, or variable; set a conditional breakpoint; and
evaluate an expression.
- JSP
-
(JavaServer Pages) Extensible web technology that uses template data,
custom elements, scripting languages, and server-side Java objects to
return dynamic content to a client. The template data consists of HTML
or XML elements.
- keyboard shortcut
-
A keystroke combination (usually a modifier key and a character key,
like Ctrl-C) that activates a menu item or a toolbar button command
from the keyboard even if the relevant menu is not currently
displayed.
- layout manager
-
A property of a container component that control the size and location
of components within the container. A layout manager ensures that the
container can adjust to resizing and differences between systems, such
as different font sizes. The Java platform supplies six layout
managers: BorderLayout, BoxLayout, CardLayout, FlowLayout,
GridBagLayout, and GridLayout.
- main window
-
A window that acts as control center for the IDE. The main window
contains menus, toolbars, and a component palette for developing Java
applets and applications. From this window, the five IDE workspaces
can be accessed.
- MDI
-
(Multiple document interface) An interface that confines all of an
application's internal frames to a desktop pane.
- menu
-
A list of choices (menu items) logically grouped an displayed by an
application so that a user need not memorize all available commands or
options.
- menu bar
-
The horizontal strip at the top of the main window that contain's the
titles of the IDE's drop-down menus.
- menu item
-
A choice in a menu. Menu items are typically commands or other options
that a user can select.
- method
-
A function defined in a class. Such a function can be applied to a
specific object or the class itself.
- mnemonic
-
An underlined letterm typically in a menu title, menu item, or the
text of a button or component. A mnemonic shows the user which key to
press (in conjunction with the Alt key) to activate a command or
navigate to a component. See also keyboard operations,
keyboard shortcut.
- module
-
An independent piece of software that is part of a larger program but
is usually compiled separately. Modules are implemented in such a way
that you can change one module without affecting the other modules in
the program.
- multithreaded debugger
-
A tool for locating operational errors in a program that has been
designed to have parts of its code execute concurrently. The debugger
enables developers to step through the malfunctionaing portion of the
program to examine data and check operational conditions. In the IDE's
mulithreaded debugger, breakpoints and watches can be set and threads
can be set in the Debugging window and compilations errors viewed in
the Output window.
- Object Browser
-
A three-pane window where the hierarchy of packages, objects, and
members in an application can be viewed. Like the Explorer window, the
Object Browser can be used for many tasks such as opening a source
file; new packages, objects, and members can be added.
- package
-
A collection of Java classes and interfaces grouped in a single entity.
- project
-
A collection of files that makes up an applet or application. The files
in a project can be operated on as a whole.
- property
-
An attribute or characteristic of a GUI object. The properties of an
object define size, color, and value.
- Properties
-
A window for viewing and editing component properties. From the Explorer
window, you can right-click the designed component, then choose the
Properties command from a contextual menu. For example, you can view
the properties of the MemoryView class in the advanced example called
MemoryView and edit attributes such as name or Javadoc comment. See
also Explorer and contextual menu.
- RMI
-
(Remote Method Invocation) A distributed object model for Java program
to Java program, in which the methods of remote objects written in the
Java programming language can be invoked from other virtual machines,
possibly on different hosts.
- servlet
-
A server-side program that gives Java technology-enabled servers
additional features.
- Source Editor
-
A tool for editing Java, HTML, and plain text files as well as files
specified by modules. Source code in the Editor window is
automatically updated and generated while working in the Form Editor
and Component Inspector. Generated source code is indicated by a
shaded background and cannot be edited in the Source Editor window.
- Swing components
-
A collection of GUI components with a pluggable look and feel used to
design applications in any environment. Swing is part of the Java
Foundation Classes and includes interface elements such as windows,
dialog boxes, choosers, panels, panes, menus, controls, text
components, tables, lists, and tree views.
- template
-
Software code that serves as a guide for creating a component. A
template provides the initial appearance and behavior of the object,
which you can easily change. In the Forte for Java environment,
components such as Swing and AWT containers are provided as templates.
- VM
-
(virtual machine) An application that provides an interface between
compiled Java binary code and the microprocessor that carries out the
application's instructions. When a Java VM has been provided for a
platform, any Java application can run on that platform.
- workspace
-
A collection of windows with related functions. For example, when
editing the user interface, you use a workspace that displays the
Component Inspector, the Form Editor, and the source Editor. When
debugging a program, you use the workspace that displays a window for
setting breakpoints, monitoring threads, and watching the value of
variables.
- XML
-
(Extensible Markup Language) Markup language (a subset of SGML) from
the World Wide Web Consortium for creating common data formats and
sharing them on the Web. In contrast to HTML, the markup symbols in
XML are unlimited and self-defining.
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