The FastJavac compiler referred to in the User's Guide and FAQ is not currently part of the release. Internal Javac is the default compiler.
User documentation is available in thedocsdirectory. The User's Guide, QuickStart Guide, and the Tutorials are available both in HTML and PDF format. The User's Guide is also viewable within the IDE's JavaHelp browser, and the QuickStart Guide and Tutorials can be browsed in the internal web browser.In addition, the
docsdirectory contains theFAQ.htmlfile, which provides answers to frequently asked questions.
Intel x86 platforms
Hardware
Minimum configuration: Microsoft Windows 95, 98, 2000, or NT with a P133 processor, 64 megabytes of RAM, and 16 megabytes of free disk space.
Recommended configuration: Microsoft Windows 95, 98, 2000, or NT with a P300 processor and 128 Mbytes of RAM.
Optimal configuration: Microsoft Windows 95, 98, 2000, or NT with a P300 processor and 192 Mbytes of RAM.
Note: If you have 64 Mbytes, you should set the configuration file (
forte4j.cfg) startup flag to-Xmx48m.Software
Forte for Java Community Edition, requires a Java 2-compatible JVM, version 1.2.2. The JavaTM 2 SDK, Standard Edition, for the Windows environment is available for download from http://java.sun.com/products/jdk/1.2/ (v. 1.2) and http://java.sun.com/products/jdk/1.3/ (v. 1.3 release candidate).
SPARC/Solaris platform
Hardware
When running on the Solaris platform, you should have at least 16 Mbytes of free disk space.
Minimum configuration: SparcStation 5: 170 Mhz, 128 Mbytes of RAM, 16 Mbytes.
Recommended configuration: UltraSPARC 5: 333 Mhz, 256 Mbytes of RAM.
Optimal configuration: UltraSPARC 10: 440 Mhz, 512 Mbytes of RAM.
Software
Forte for Java Community Edition requires the JavaTM 2 SDK, v. 1.2.1 for the Solaris environment. The latest SDK is available for download from http://www.sun.com/solaris/java/.
Linux platform
The Linux JVM is more resource-intensive, so Linux users may want to have a higher memory configuration.
The latest SDK is available for download from http://java.sun.com/products/jdk/1.2/download-linux.html, although there are some issues that can limit performance. Please see the Forte for Java web site for the latest information.
For tips on optimizing the performance of Forte for Java on your system, check the Performance Tips page of the Forte for Java web site.
To check for updates go to "Help | Update Center" in the main menu. After this, the IDE downloads the information about most current versions of modules, compares it to the versions installed and offers to update or install new modules.If your computer is behind a firewall, you can set the proxy settings under "Tools | Global Options | System" or on the first page of the Update Center. Details on proxies can be found at http://www.sun.com/forte/ffj/ce/documentation/autoupdate.html
The forms developed with Forte for Java Community Edition 1.0 are stored in XML to provide a safer persistence format.When opening forms saved with Developer 2.0, 2.1, or X2, you will be asked whether you want to convert the form to the new format. If you answer "No", the Form Editor will have the same features as in X2, and the saved form will be compatible with X2. However, some of the new features, such as multiple property editors per property and most code generation properties on components, will not be available. If you answer "Yes", the form will be saved in the new format, and it will not be possible to open it in previous versions of the IDE.
The Forte for Java IDE is not only easily customizable by end users, but includes full capabilities for extension by add-in modules and is designed to support multiple databases, application servers, and other parts of an integrated development system.Most of the user functionality of the IDE is already implemented by modules, which employ a rich set of APIs to interact with the core IDE and other modules. These APIs are openly published, making it possible to develop your own modules which extend and enhance the IDE in every direction. This applies to vendors with existing applications that should be bridged to the IDE; organizations with specialized development needs; and even interested power users.
Standard Forte-supplied modules which interface to external development systems are also designed to support systems from multiple vendors at once. This applies to databases; application servers; version-control systems; and more. Sun will work with interested vendors to make sure their products are supported.
Finally, the IDE architecture is open enough to allow it to be treated as a tool platform providing users with a familiar UI and developers with a mature and rich infrastructure. OEM options are available for those wishing to redistribute part or all of the IDE with their own extensions.
Anyone interested in looking at the Open APIs available for module extensions may view them inside the IDE by choosing Help | Forte for Java Open APIs On-line, or go to the EAP program web site and browse APIs from there and join the Open APIs mailing list.
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