Building Java Applications for the iSeries Server with VisualAge for Java 3.5

64 Building Java Applications for the iSeries Server with VisualAge for Java 3.5

3.1 VisualAge for Java overview

IBM VisualAge for Java is one of the first enterprise-wide, team-enabled, incremental

application development environments for Java in the industry. It is designed to connect Java

clients to existing server data, transactions, and applications. This enables developers to

extend server-based applications to communicate with Java clients on the Internet or intranet,

rather than rewrite the application from scratch. VisualAge for Java creates 100% pure

Java-compatible applications, applets, and JavaBeans.

This chapter discusses various processes and windows that you use in the development of

applications using VisualAge for Java. All development for this Redbook was performed using

the Windows NT client of the Enterprise Edition of VisualAge for Java Version 3.5.3. If you are

using a different client or the Professional Edition, there may be some slight differences in the

processes and windows that are discussed and shown here.

The source code for any of the examples discussed in this chapter is available on the Internet.

For download instructions, please refer to Appendix A, “Additional material” on page 529.

3.1.1 VisualAge for Java versions

VisualAge for Java is available in four scalable packages:

򐂰 Entry Edition

VisualAge for Java, Entry Edition, is suitable for learning purposes and for building small

projects. It is available as a no-charge download from VisualAge Developer Domain at

http://www.ibm.com/software/vadd

Two free, scaled-down versions of products, Entry Professional Edition for Windows and

Entry Enterprise Edition for Windows, are available. They are limited to holding up to 750

classes in the workspace. IBM doesn’t provide support for these trial products.

Documentation can be viewed through the Support page on the Web. The user is licensed

for “internal, non-commercial use”. Note these points:

– Users must be registered in the VisualAge Developer Domain. For information, see:

http://www7.software.ibm.com/vad.nsf

– No support provided

– 750-class limit

– Does not support the IBM Toolbox for Java

򐂰 Professional Edition

VisualAge for Java, Professional Edition, is a complete Java development environment

that includes easy access to JDBC-enabled databases for building full-function Java

applications. It includes an editor, debugger, browser, and Visual Composition Editor. The

Professional Edition is included with the VisualAge Developer Domain Subscription for

Java. Note these advantages:

– Provides IDE and Visual Composition Editor (VCE)

– Provides JSP/Servlet Development Environment including a Create Servlet

SmartGuide, which optimizes generated servlets, HTML, and JSP components

– Includes the WebSphere Test Environment

– Includes the XML Parser for Java

– Includes Data Access Beans, DB2 Stored Procedure Builder and SQLJ, to access data

– Provides Distributed Debugger and Integrated Debugger to debug your applications

– Supports the IBM Toolbox for Java

– Supports template for Customer Relationship Management (CRM)

– Allows non-Java files to be managed in the repository

– Includes Integration with SCM systems (TeamConnection, ClearCase, and PVCS)