Adding JavaBeans components to the IDE
You can expand the functionality of the IDE by adding your own visual and non-visual JavaBeans components to the Component Palette for use in visual design. Once the component is installed, you can easily select it in the Component Palette and add it to your forms. You can add class files (with the
.class
extension) or serialized prototypes (.ser
).To add a JavaBeans component to the Component Palette:
- Choose Tools | Install New JavaBean from the main menu.
- In the dialog box, select the path and JAR file of your new JavaBeans component and click Open.
- A list will appear with available JavaBeans. Select the ones you want and click Install.
Note: If the beans you expect do not appear, the required attribute,
Java-Bean: True
is missing from the beans' entries in the JAR manifest. See the JavaBeans specification for details on proper packaging of JavaBeans.- In the Palette Category dialog box that appears next, choose where in the Component Palette (under which tab) you would like to place the bean(s) and click OK.
You will then see the new bean(s) appear under the tab you indicated, ready to use in an application.
Some JavaBeans components have their own icon. In cases where this is not true, the IDE assigns a default icon to the bean. To see the name of each installed JavaBean, position the cursor over the bean and a tool tip will appear.
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