🚀 go-pugleaf

Aiming for Simplicity

While a lot of companies (and individuals!) are interested in creating
applications with Java, few native Java programs were available until
recently. And despite the promises of cross-platform usability, Java
programmers have been required to do their development in a specific
environment.

At least one vendor is promising to reduce that problem, by providing an
easy to use development tool suited for both novices and Java experts. At
an upcoming user group meeting, you'll be able to judge for yourself how
well it delivers.

At the Phoenix OS/2 Society's January general meeting on Tuesday, January
12, Carl Sayres of Data Representations Inc., will show us just how easy
it is to put together a Pure Java application, using Simplicity for Java.

About Simplicity for Java

Simplicity for Java 1.1 is written completely in Java 1.1. It runs on any
Java-enabled platform including Linux, OS/2, Solaris, AIX, HP-UX, Windows
95/98/NT, Macintosh, and others.

Using the Simplicity for Java IDE, developers build Java applications and
applets interactively through a visual model which is instantaneously
updated to reflect any changes made to the program's source code. This
dynamic modeling reduces development time, promotes programming accuracy,
and challenges the need for the traditional three step development
practice of code - compile - test.

The Simplicity for Java IDE organizes all of the components of a project,
which can include multiple applications, applets, images, sounds, as well
as any data files associated with a project. In addition, the IDE relieves
the user from worrying about pathnames on a local file system, and on a
Web server.

The Composer, Simplicity's graphical interface builder, features a palette
of parts that can be added dynamically to the working application. These
parts include all of the AWT components and layouts, full support for the
JFC/Swing components from JDK 1.2, a library of pre-built JavaBeans, and
any desired third party JavaBeans.

Both the novice and the experienced Java developer will appreciate
Simplicity for Java's Code Sourcerer, an integral part of the Composer. In
plain English, the Sourcerer interviews the developer and then produces
Java source code for the user in response to their choices.

Simplicity's Java Source Code Editor is a fully featured programmer's
editor that has all the capabilities that power users expect. Features
include unlimited levels of undo and redo, search, and replace using Perl5
regular expressions, color syntax highlighting, and printing in full
color.

Integrated into the editor, the Sourcerer's Apprentice introspects any
Java class on-the-fly as the developer types Java code and provides
auto-completion of class methods and fields.

A free tryout version of Simplicity for Java is available from Data
Representations' web site at http://www.datarepresentations.com. The base
price for a single license, which includes 60 days of standard email
support, is $149. Both additional standard support, and priority telephone
support are available.

Do you think they can live up to all that? Why not join us at the meeting,
and find out?

When and where

The Phoenix OS/2 Society's general meeting is on Tuesday, January 12.
Meetings are held at the Mountain Preserve Reception Center, 1431 East
Dunlap. A "random access" Q&A session begins at 6:30pm, and the meeting
gets underway at 7:00pm. Participants are sure to reconvene at Coyote
Springs afterwards; we're friendly folks and we like to see each other.

Visitors are quite welcome, particularly at this meeting. After all, if
Java can live up to its promises as a  a cross platform tool, quality
development applications will make it possible for all of us computer
users to work together.

About the Phoenix OS/2 Society

The Phoenix OS/2 Society is the world's largest computer user group
devoted to OS/2, with members in 14 countries and 46 US states and
territories. The Society publishes the award-winning print magazine,
_extended attributes_, offers educational services to its members, and
never forgets that people are supposed to have fun with their PCs as well
as accomplish something useful. We tell good jokes.

More information about the user group, and a request form for a free
sample issue of _extended attributes_, can be found at
http://www.possi.org.