External Class Integration

Warning: Only experienced programmers should attempt to use the VisualAge for Java Feature Integrator.  The Feature Integrator is ideally suited for use by ISVs.

With the VisualAge for Java Feature Integrator, you can conveniently integrate Java class libraries and beans, called features, that reside on the file system. Once a feature has been integrated and added to the workspace, it can be used within IDE the same way that any other classes in the IDE are used. The Feature Integrator allows class libraries and beans not shipped with VisualAge for Java to appear tightly integrated with VisualAge for Java environment, and provides a common framework for integration of such classes.

Keep in mind that the Feature Integrator is a convenience mechanism for classes that are not shipped with VisualAge for Java, and that these classes can also be manually imported into the repository and added to the workspace using conventional IDE facilities.

When the IDE starts, new features are automatically imported into the repository, and are made available in the Quick Start Feature selection dialog for "Add Feature" and through the Visual Composition Editor palette "Available..." selection dialog. Features can be loaded from the Quick Start window or from the Visual Composition Editor palette.

Similar to the Feature Integration mechanism, you can integrate file-based Java applications with the IDE by using the Tool Integrator.


External Tool Integration
Overview of the Tool Integrator API


Setting Up a Class or Bean for Integration
Updating and Removing Integrated Tools and Classes