I |
In this section of the book you are introduced to the operation of the Java development environment. A number of authors have each brought their individual expertise to these topics. To begin, Mike Cohn introduces Java, and Bryan Morgan explains how the Java Developer's Kit (JDK) is installed. Then Mike and Bryan examine in detail the way developers in other languages such as C++, Delphi, and Visual Basic can leverage their knowledge as a transition into this new and exciting language.
Many people believe that Java is only applicable to Web operation. While the Web is a very important part of Java and one that offers the greatest promise, it also can be used to develop full-blown applications that are not dependent on a Web browser. First, Bryan shows how to develop applets that are downloaded from a Web server; then Dan Joshi joins these authors and provides details on the use of Java to develop stand-alone applications.
At this point the Java development environment is covered in earnest. Michael Morrison, Michael Nygard, and the other authors delve into the components of the JDK, and show how to write, compile, and execute your applets and applications. When things start going wrong, Java has some built-in debugging capabilities, which Bryan and Michael Morrison cover in detail.
In other languages, documentation is a separate process. Often overlooked, this subsidiary requirement rapidly loses accuracy as the development heats up. Realizing the importance of good documentation, the SunSoft folks have included a way to generate online documentation from the comments that you embed in your Java code. Mike Cohn examines this process in detail and provides hints on making the process much more effective.