Introduction

Java has taken the Computer Industry by storm with the promise of "Write Once, Run Anywhere". The Java Virtual Machine greatly simplifies the deployment of both client and server applications on a wide variety of platforms, including Windows, Macintosh, OS/2, AS/400, the wide range of UNIX platforms, plus many more.

But with any new platform come new demands for development tools. Productive tools to rapidly create the professional business applications that corporate users expect. Tools to create platform-independent, scalable, and reliable multi-tier applications that meet the demands corporations place on their IT systems. And tools to create and leverage reusable components as building blocks for rapid development of applications that deliver a competitive advantage.

JBuilder 1 was the first Java development tool to address these needs, delivering professional tools for rapid delivery of platform independent business applications. JBuilder has become the Pure Java tool of choice for industry leading corporations, including:

Volvo, Daiwa Securities, MicroAge, NationsBank, Ohio Department of Transportation, Eli Lilly, Nationwide Insurance, Mercedes Benz, Long Term Capital Management, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Manualife Financial, Chevron, Northern Telecom, Canadian Coast Guard, Kraft General Foods Canada, Xerox Canada, Novatel Communications, Crownlife Insurance Company, The Toronto Star Newspaper, and Glaxo-Wellcome.

"We committed to JBuilder for production coding of our Trade Processing System while JBuilder was still a beta product. It was an unusual step to take, but JBuilder was so much better than anything else available that it was the correct business decision."
Jeffry Borror Director of Information Technology, Daiwa Securities America Inc.

These corporations recognize that JBuilder provides a strategic business advantage for their pure Java client, server, and component development, allowing them to deliver platform-independent applications on time and on budget.

JBuilder 2 continues to push the envelope of what a productive Pure Java development environment should be. With JBuilder 2, we include a unique combination of features that set it apart as the solution of choice for creating platform-independent business & database applications, distributed applications, and JavaBean components.

This product brief provides an overview of the new features in JBuilder 2 Client/Server Suite. For an in-depth look at the features of JBuilder 2, please refer to the JBuilder 2 Evaluator's Guide .

Pure Java Business and Database Application Development

JBuilder 1 set the standard for Java development tools by including a fully integrated Application Browser, drag and drop visual designers, 100% Pure Java Two-Way-ToolsÖ, the flexible Pure Java DataExpress architecture for database development, a graphical debugger, a lightning-fast compiler, and much, much more. JBuilder 2 builds on this comprehensive set of proven visual development tools to create more scalable and reliable 100% Pure Java business and database applications, faster than ever.

This section highlights the key new features in JBuilder 2 that simplify the creation of platform-independent applications using Java.

CodeInsight
Developers everywhere face the challenge of keeping up with the rapidly changing technological landscape. End users expect and need powerful, easy to use applications that provide a competitive advantage, which means support for the latest technologies and features in the applications they use, and they need it yesterday. To simplify this learning curve and to significantly speed the development process, JBuilder 2 now includes CodeInsight.

CodeInsight is a set of high-productivity coding Wizards that assist developers while programming - allowing them to build more robust-applications faster. CodeInsight provides the proper syntax when creating and editing parameters, properties, methods, events, and highlights invalid data types. CodeInsight is also a useful tool for developers learning the Java language.

CodeInsight includes the following new Wizards:

• Package Wizard
  The Package Wizard provides a list of available packages that allows developers to visually add new types and imports to a Java application.
• Code Completion Wizard
  Java developers have to remember a wide range of components, variables, properties, and methods, plus make time to learning new technologies and components, such as Suns new JFC/Swing components for UI development. To simplify development and reduce development time, the Code Completion Wizard dynamically provides an alphabetical listing, as a speedtip within JBuilder, of all available properties, methods, and events. The list is easily searched by typing the first few letters, and the property or method is automatically added to the source code (no more spelling mistakes!).
• Code Parameter Wizard
  In addition to remembering a wide range of properties and methods, Java developers need to remember the parameters to all the methods. The integrated Code Parameter Wizard provides instantly access to the parameter lists of all overloaded versions of the method or Event. The method signatures and parameters are listed in a speedtip, directly within the editor, reducing the time spent searching the help files.
• Code Insight Wizard
  Java developers know that sometimes the best way to learn something new is to go straight to the source. JBuilder makes this easy with the new Code Insight Wizard. The Code Insight Wizard gives developers an instant browse of the selected object, detailing the objects' properties, methods, and events in the Structure Pane of the JBuilder AppBrowser, which are then viewed and studied in the content pane.
• Declaration Wizard
  The declaration Wizard uses Syntax Highlighting to show invalid data types, before compiling, to find problems the moment they are introduced, without waiting for a re-compile.

Pure Java DataExpress Architecture
At the core of any true Business and Database application development tool is a powerful and flexible database architecture. JBuilder delivers on this expectation with the DataExpress architecture, which provides powerful components for visual development of database applications using JDBC connectivity. Easily create master-detail relationships, Picklists, Lookups, Multi-Table Joins, and transaction processing. Plus, virtually every component in JBuilder is data aware, making it drag and drop easy to create professional user interfaces for database applications. (For an in-depth look at the DataExpress Architecture, please refer to the DataExpress Technology Overview.)

In addition to Pure Java JDBC connectivity to enterprise data, JBuilder includes Borland's DataGateway for Java, which delivers high-performance native connectivity to the most popular databases, including Oracle, Informix, Sybase, MS SQL Server, IBM DB/2, and InterBase. For developing relational database applications on a local machine, JBuilder 2 includes a copy of the InterBase 5 RDBMS Server, the easy to use, full-featured relational database.

The DataExpress architecture has been enhanced in JBuilder 2 with visual features such as the DataSet Designer for visually adding and arranging columns in a DataSet, and the Aggragate Property Editor for visually defining aggregate operation, including Sum, Min, Max, and Count, that provide simple analysis of data.

Under the hood, the DataExpress Architecture has been enhanced to simplify the creation of Look-ups and pick lists, improved handling of Master/Detail relationships, and improved support for updateable queries in multi-table joins.

Other DataExpress enhancements include:

New load options for data retrieval
JBuilder 2 adds two new options for retrieving data from a database, in addition to asynchronous execution and load everything up front, which are provided with JBuilder 1. The new data retrieval options provide more control over the data and make for faster applications. The two options:

• Partial up-front loading
  A fixed number of rows are loaded up front (25 by default). Then, when the user attempts to navigate past the last row another group of the same number of rows is loaded. This option is useful for getting better performance in an application.

• Single Row Fetch
  Just one row is loaded at a time, useful for creating batch operations such as restructuring, reports, and copy operations.

Tighter DataModule Integration
Data modules (often referred to as data models) are specialized 100% Pure Java containers where data access components and their associated properties are collected into a reusable component. Developers define their data module once, then use it among various applications, or various frames within a single application.

The data module also provides a centralized location where "business logic" can be stored. "Business logic" describes the rules by which data is manipulated before and after the user (or client) sees the data. Business logic may include default values, filter criterion, constraints on data insertions, and so on. By encapsulating such logic in a single location, every application that uses the data module includes consistent business logic.

JBuilder 1 provided the tools to visually create reusable data module components - JBuilder 2 adds the 'Use DataModule' Wizard which simplifies using data modules in the various components of applications.

Resourceable SQL
The SQL statement for a query can now be optionally resourced into a separate file from the Java source code. This provides a logical separation between the Java code that uses the SQL statement, and the actual SQL statements. In other words, a developer could change the contents of the SQL statement inside the resourced file without the need to recompile the Java code using the SQL statement. This reduces development time by allowing the SQL experts to focus on the SQL, and the Java experts for focus on the Java.

Internationalization
In today's global economy, it is more important than ever that enterprise developers create applications for use with a wide variety of languages. JBuilder 2 builds on the multi-language capabilities of JBuilder 1 to make it even easier to create multi-lingual applications.

In addition to the existing Wizard to resource strings into resource bundles, JBuilder 2 now maintains the strings in the resource bundle when they are modified using the Inspector. In other words, once a string is resourced, it stays resourced, even when the developer modifies it. JBuilder also provides a (right-click) context menu in the Inspector for easily adding non-resourced strings to the resource bundle.

Usability Enhancements
When creating a development environment, it isn't just the flashy new features that make developers more productive; it is also the attention to detail. Borland has fostered customer loyalty in products such as Delphi and JBuilder by its attention to details that make a difference in what developers do day in and day out. With JBuilder 2, we continue this tradition by listening to developers needs and providing the tool that makes them most productive.

Examples of this include an updated JGL library for powerful data structures and algorithms, customization of the coding style for code that is generated by the JBuilder Wizards and Designers to match corporate standards, and Copy/Paste/ unlimited Undo in the Visual Designers. The Project Manager has also been enhanced with support for sub-folders, for a more structured organization of the files in a project.

A seemingly simple, but important enhancement, is the ability to easily search tree views of information within JBuilder. Search the navigation, structure, message, debug inspector, watch, and other tree views merely by typing the desired string (including wildcard support).

Distributed Enterprise Application Development

More and more leading corporations are creating multi-tier, distributed applications to meet the scalability and reliability requirements of business critical applications. And the technologies that they are turning to more and more are CORBA and Java. They are choosing CORBA and Java because together they provide an excellent solution for creating distributed platform independent, solutions.

With the acquisition of Visigenic, Borland is uniquely positioned to provide both the integrated development tools and the CORBA middleware for creating these distributed applications. JBuilder's Pure Java database architecture and CORBA integration provides developers with the most complete set of scalable tools for creating distributed object applications for the enterprise.

CORBA Integration
JBuilder 2 includes VisiBroker for Java 3.2, seamlessly integrated into the environment and project management systems. The Visigenic IDL compiler is invoked as a part of the normal build process for a project, translating all IDL files in the project into the OMG-compliant Java binding automatically. At a glance, developers can see which Java source files were automatically created, cleanly dividing a developers own Java source code from generated code. Errors in IDL are detected during the compile process, with detailed error messages and corresponding source code highlighting to assist developers new to CORBA.

The Visigenic ORB can be started from within the JBuilder environment, allowing JBuilder to take care of the Java classpath necessary for the ORB to find a project's code. Building, compiling, and testing distributed applications takes place in an integrated environment, with tools that have been designed to work together smoothly.

Enterprise JavaBeans
The Enterprise JavaBean architecture allows business logic to be encapsulated as a set of objects with standardized interfaces, making it easier to build distributed business applications using Java. With EJB, developers can mix and match different components from different vendors, and wire them together to suit their needs.

JBuilder 2 allows developers to take advantage of EJB with the new Enterprise features of BeansExpress. BeansExpress simplifies the creation of both Session and Entity Enterprise JavaBeans, and automates essential tasks such as the creation of the Home and Remote interfaces.

RMI Integration
JBuilder 2 takes advantage of the seamless integration designed for IDL compilation to provide the same experience for RMI developers. Any Java source file can be flagged for RMI processing, which occurs automatically after the class is successfully compiled. Up-to-date stub and skeletons files are always generated when the class changes, and appear alongside developers own source code in the project management environment, clearly related to the original source file.

Like the VisiBroker ORB, the RMI Registry is invoked from within the IDE, providing the appropriate classpath for an instant test environment for RMI applications.

Java Servlets
JBuilder developers can now easily create server-side Java applications for delivering dynamic web content using the Servlet Wizard. Servlets can be thought of as server-side versions of applets that extend the functionality of web servers in the same way that CGI scripts do. However, Servlets offer a substantial performance improvements over CGI and are truly portable across platforms. The JBuilder Servlet Wizard handles servlets that process the output of an HTML form, as well as servlets that generate HTML to be embedded in the HTML file that specified it.

Persistent DataStore
One of the problems facing Java developers is persisting, or saving, data and objects. Developers can create applications that can run on multiple platforms, but there is no guarantee of local data storage. To meet this need, we are delivering the Persistent DataStore in JBuilder 2. The Persistent DataStore provides 100% Pure Java high performance data access, caching, and compact persistence of corporate data, arbitrary files, and Java Objects. The Persistent DataStore is ideally suited for applications that have requirements for:

• Local persistent storage for small or large DataSets, files, and Java objects
• Asynchronous data replication
• Small footprint database applications
• Disconnected/mobile computing

JavaBean Development

Many developers are turning to components, such as JavaBeans, to help clear the application backlog that they are facing. By creating custom components, developers can create a library of powerful building blocks that can be easily reused in multiple application. By using custom, industry standard, and third-party components, developers can create more powerful and robust applications in less time.

Borland played a significant role in defining the Java Component Model, JavaBeans. Now, Borland is leveraging its real world experience developing reusable components to create the most productive tools for creating reusable, industry standard, JavaBean components.

BeansExpress
JBuilder 1 featured the Java BeansExpress, which provided a wizard for rapidly creating reusable JavaBean components. JBuilder 2 builds upon the BeansExpress found in JBuilder 1 by adding support for the Swing components, plus BeanDesigners that generate 100% Pure Java code for customizing and enhancing beans created with the BeansExpress Wizard. The new BeanDesigners include visual tools to rapidly create Properties, BeanInfo files, Events, and Property Editors, making it easy to create industry standard JavaBean Components.

BeanDesigners

• Property Designer
  The Property Designer displays all properties existing in the current JavaBean. With the Property Designer, developers can add new properties, and their associated getter and setter methods, as well as change the names and types of existing properties.
• BeanInfo Designer
  The BeanInfo Designer displays additional information associated with the properties in the current JavaBean. From this page, developers can choose whether or not to expose a property, describe properties, and can change certain attributes of the properties that are exposed. The BeanInfo Designer will automatically generate a new BeanInfo file corresponding to the current JavaBean.
• Event Designer
  Save time by quickly generating new event classes, including event listeners. The Event Designer displays a list of event types that the current JavaBean may source, as well as a list of event types that the current JavaBean may listen for. The Events Designer also allows developers to specify their own events, and will generate the appropriate EventObject class and EventListener interface.
• Property Editor Designer
  Reduce the complexity of creating new Property Editors for JavaBeans. The Property Editor Designer allows developers to define custom property editors that are used to visually edit properties in a JavaBean component.

Summary

JBuilder continues to push the envelope of what a productive Pure Java development environment should be. First and foremost, JBuilder is a visual Java development tool built by Java developers, for Java developers. Since JBuilder is developed using JBuilder itself (80% of the product is written in Java) - what Borland's R&D teams learn developing JBuilder is used to make JBuilder even more productive.

JBuilder 2 delivers the features that Pure Java developers demand for creating standards based, platform independent client applications, server applications, and reusable components.

Key features include:

• Platform independence with industry standard Pure Java code generation.
• AppBrowser for rapid application development.
• Create full-featured applications with support for the latest Java standards.
• Robust and flexible DataExpress Architecture with JDBC connectivity for professional database applications.
• A rich component library, with over 200 JavaBean components, including professional Tree and Grid controls, for rapid application development.
• NEW! JDK 1.1.6 included, for the most up to date version of Sun's standard JDK.
• NEW! JDK Switching for full support of multiple Java environments - JDK 1.02, 1.1.x, and 1.2.
• NEW! JFC/Swing Integration for rapidly creating applications with professional front ends.
• NEW! CodeInsight Wizards for maximum productivity, reduced coding errors, and putting new technologies to use today.
• NEW! BeansExpress with BeanDesigners - Rapidly create reusable, industry standard JavaBean components using automated Wizards and flexible designers.
• NEW! Integrated CORBA development to rapidly create platform-independent, distributed object applications.
• NEW! Borland Deployment Server for Java to deploy and manage applications and their associated Java VM's.

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