Introduction
he Windowing IFC (Windowing Internet Foundation Classes) is a class library written entirely in Java that contains objects and frameworks you can use to create applets and applications in Java. The IFC provides the tools you need to create any Java application, from a complex multiuser client-server application to a simple utility. The IFC greatly extends the Java Abstract Windowing Toolkit (AWT) library, the user interface tool kit that is bundled with Java.
What's in this book?
This book describes the concepts underlying the IFC library. This guide assumes that you have worked in object-oriented programming environments and that you are familiar with the Java language and its associated libraries. A C++ background is useful but not essential. Read this guide to understand how the classes handle events, drawing, and other application functions.
The Developer's Guide contains the following chapters:
Conventions used in this book
The IFC is available for the Unix, Windows NT, Windows 95, and Macintosh operating systems; the information here applies to all versions. File and directory paths are given in Windows format (with backslashes separating directory names). The directory paths for Unix versions are the same, except that you use slashes instead of backslashes separate directories.
This book uses the following typographical conventions:
Monospace font
Monospace indicates class names, methods, and other language elements. It is
also used for filenames, directory names, and examples of code.
Boldface
Boldface is used to introduce new terms. These terms also appear in the
Glossary.
Italic
Italic text is used for variables.
UPPERCASE
Uppercase text is used for constants, such as MOUSE_DRAGGED
.
Sidebar text
Sidebar text signals important information. Make sure you read the information
before continuing with a task. It also labels sections containing file information
with headings for descriptions, syntax, parameters, and examples.
|
The vertical bar is used to separate actions taken in the user interface. For
example, "click Server Status|Log Preferences" means "click the Server Status
button in the Server Manager and then click the Log Preferences link."