Java (TM) Development Tools
January 5, 2000
To develop Java software you need a development tool. The Java development kit freely available from JavaSoft provides a command level compiler for developing Java software. You use your favorite text editor to wri
te the Java code and compile it using the "javac" command. To test a Java application you just execute it at command level. To test an applet you would use the appletviewer available in the JDK to launch an HTML document that specifies the applet tag an
d your applet. Those who want a friendlier development environment should consider a Java software tool like a IDE, a RAD or a development tool.
Java Software Tools
An IDE (integrated development environment) provides a graphical user interface for Java programmers to build, debug, and test Java software. A development tool allows for the quick development of Java software using a graphical user interface with a dr
ag-and-drop approach. A development tool offers prebuild components that the user pieces together to build software. A RAD is a rapid application development tool that combines an IDE, a development tool and additional software development functions int
o a comprehensive product for developing Java software.
Java Tools Vendors
Simplicity for Java,
a cross-platform Java IDE appropriate for both beginner and
experienced programmers.
Forte for Java,
Underscoring its commitment to the open source community, Sun plans to
release its entry-level Java IDE -- Forte for Java, Community Edition
-- to the open source community under the Mozilla Public License model.
Visual Age for Java
by IBM is a enterprise level Rapid Application Development tool for
project-based team development of Java software.
CodeWarrior Professional
by Metroworks is a Macintosh IDE.
JBuilder from Borland is a "visual Java development tool for building cross-platform, web-delivered, multi-tiered client/server applications".
Visual J++
from Microsoft is a IDE that has a very fast compiler.
JavaWorld provides a comprehensive catalog of links to Java
development tools and IDE's.
Java Tools Reviews
Java Boutique: Java Development Tools offers an up-to-date listing
of Integrated Development Environments and other development tools.
Java Developers Journal provides reviews of Java development tools
and IDE's.
JavaShareware offers a wide
variety of Java related resources. Numerous links to Java development
tools are available along with links to Java Applets, Applications,
Servlets and Java Beans.
Java JDK's
JDK 1.0.2 is the Java Development Kit available from JavaSoft
that programmers should use to create Java applets that can be
supported by the Microsoft Internet Explorer 3.0 and Netscape
Navigator 2.0, 3.0 and 4.0 browsers.
JDK 1.1.2
is the latest Java Development Kit available. Applets developed
with this kit will not work under the current popular browsers.
You will have to use the JavaSoft appletviewer and the HotJava browser.
The JavaTM 2 platform, Standard Edition (J2SETM)
The JavaTM 2 platform, Standard Edition (J2SETM) has
revolutionized computing with the introduction of a stable, secure
and feature-complete development and deployment environment
designed from the ground up for the Web.
Apple MRJ 1.0.2 and MRJ SDK 1.0.2 provide Java development
software for the Macintosh platform.
JavaSoft
provides a comprehensive index to the products and API's available
from JavaSoft.
JavaSoft's List of Java Platforms provides links to Java
developement kits on numerous platforms, including,
IBM, Digital, Apple, SGI, Linux, Novell and more.
|