Incremental Compilation

The VisualAge for Java IDE automatically compiles Java source code into Java bytecode.   When source code is imported into the workspace (from .java files) or added from the repository, it is compiled and analyzed with respect to the existing contents of the workspace.  Any errors are flagged and listed in the Problems page of program element browsers and the Workbench.

When you import Java bytecode classes (.class files), or add them from the repository, they are similarly analyzed with respect to the existing contents of the workspace, and errors are similarly flagged.  However, you cannot edit bytecode classes whose source is not available in the workspace.

Other changes, such as deleting, moving, copying, or renaming program elements, also initiate a compilation of affected program elements, to flag any new problems.

When you make a change to the source code for a method, field, or class, the change and all affected code is compiled when you save the changes.  If you introduce an error, the IDE will warn you and give you the option of fixing the problem immediately, or of adding the problem to the Problems page and fixing later.  If you choose to fix it immediately, the IDE's code clues tool will suggest possible solutions, if it can determine them.

Compiled code is stored in the workspace, but not in the repository (except for those classes that were imported from bytecode files rather than source code files).  If you delete a class from the workspace, it deletes the bytecode, while the source code is still stored in the repository.  If you add it back to the workspace, it will be recompiled before you can work with it again.


Unresolved Problems
Projects and Other Program Elements
Workspace


Importing Files from the File System
Creating a Class
Creating an Interface
Adding Classes and Methods from the Repository to the Workspace
Copying or Moving a Program Element
Deleting Program Elements from the Workspace
Renaming a Program Element
Saving Changes to Code
Finding and Fixing Problems