Frequently Asked Questions
What components are included in the current release of Cosmo Code?
Cosmo Code provides the visual tools developers need to create better Java applications faster. Unique features available in the current release include:
The Cosmo class libraries and Visual Applet Builder will ship mid-year. The Visual Applet Builder allows developers to quickly construct Java applications that use both the Cosmo and Java class libraries. The Cosmo Code libraries will enable developers to readily integrate and manipulate audio and video streams, 2D, 3D, text and animation in to their web-page. Customers under software support will receive free upgrades to the next Cosmo Code releases. Unsupported customers can download the upgrades at a nominal price from the Web.
How will Cosmo Code fit in to the other Cosmo products?
Cosmo Code is the first available product in the Cosmo suite of software tools, which includes Cosmo Create, Cosmo Media Base, and Cosmo Player all available in mid-1996. The Cosmo suite of tools provides all the components necessary to bring the web to the next level. Cosmo Code provides the development environment to write Java code that can be used to create motion and enable interactivity in VRML worlds. Combined with Cosmo Create, the HTML/VRML authoring tool, Cosmo Code enables developers to create their Java applets and then drag the applet on to their web page without additional programming. Cosmo Player is a co-browser providing the real-time streaming audio, full-motion video, direct-manipulation interaction metaphors, and 3D visual simulation graphics technology to fully experience an interactive, media-rich, 3D world.
How will the Cosmo Libraries be integrated in to Cosmo Code?
Libraries for animation, graphics, user interface, and more will be represented as visual objects on the visual applet builder's palettes. Developers can add 2D or 3D graphics, animation, video, and audio in to their Java applications.
Why should I use Cosmo Code instead of JDB to debug my Java programs?
Cosmo Code provides a significant number of features beyond the JDB commands. In the visual debugging environment, you can set breakpoints and step with a mouse click. You can examine the contents of an object graphically and keep track of thread status for all threads concurrently. Cosmo Code also provides a set of tools for doing static analysis including a tool for browsing the structure and contents of a class. You can display the relationship between classes using several types of graphs.
Is Cosmo Code written in Java?
No, SGI leveraged a successful field-tested C++ visual debugging environment to bring Cosmo code to customers quickly.
How do I let you know about features I'd like to see in Cosmo Code or ask questions not answered in this FAQ?
You can send e-mail to cosmocode@sgi.com if you are not currently under software support. For more information about software support, contact your local sales office or call 1-800-800-SGI1 if you are in the US or Canada.
Questions for Cosmo Code users
How do I debug an applet in Cosmo Code?
Just start jdev with the .html file containing your applet as an argument:
jdev myapplet.html
When the interface appears, you can set breakpoints, browse source code or view the relations between classes in your applet. Click the Run button to start your applet.
You can also debug standalone (non-applet) Java applications by starting jdev with the main class name, for example:
jdev myapplication.class
Does Cosmo Code allow me to follow threads easily?
Yes, Cosmo Code provides a Thread bar that displays all the status of all threads in a program. You can select a thread at any time to follow its execution.
Can I view classes and relationships between classes?
Yes, Cosmo code provides tools for viewing and graphing the relationships between classes. The Class card allows you to select a class for browsing. You see the contents of the class you have selected in addition to its relationship to all the other classes in the program.
Do you provide any Java code to get people started?
Yes, two demos are shipped with Cosmo Code. You can also follow a demo script that takes you through the major features of Cosmo Code. The demo script can be found in /usr/Jdev/webdocs/demotop.html once you have installed Cosmo Code. From the silicon Surf Cosmo page, you can access the Java gallery to see some example applets.
I'm using Java with a Netscape browser and I sometimes get the following message: Unable to start a java applet: the version number for your classes is wrong, or Netscape gives me a bus error or segmentation fault when I try to sview a page with an applet.
If you are using a Netscape browser with Java support, you must be careful about setting the CLASSPATH and JAVA_HOME variables because Netscape uses these variables to locate Java class files. If you need to set either of these vaiables, you should either run your Java programs in a different shell from the Netscape browser or temporarily set your environment correctly for Netscape while you start it, then set it for your Java programs.
I sometimes see a message like the following in the shell window where I start Cosmo Code: Warning: Cannot allocate colormap entry for "#a7b7a7"
This means that your colormap is full and Cosmo Code is unable to allocate the colors it needs for the interface. This might result in some of the icons appearing as black rectangles in your Cosmo Code environment. You are probably running other color-intensive applications in your environment.
I'm debugging an applet and I'm having trouble evaluating symbols. I get a <no such symbol> message whenever I try to view something in the Data card.
Make sure you compiled your Java files using the -g flag to javac. For example, to compile all the Java files in the curent directory, type at the command line: /usr/java/bin/javac -g *.java
What are the files that Cosmo Code creates in my Java program directory (jdev.fileset, jdev.fileset.jsudindex, jdev.fileset.jsudlist)?
Cosmo Code creates these files in support of static analyzer functionality. jdev.fileset is the list of files that you specified when you created a fileset. A .jsuds directory that contains files that represent the static analysis database for system classes is also created in your home directory by default.
How do I find out what commands are available at the Cosmo Code command line?
You can type help at the command line when you start Cosmo Code to get a complete list of commands, or you can view the commands using online help available from the Help menu.
I added my source file to my fileset, but when I make queries I don't get any results.
Check that you have added the .class file to the fileset and not the .java file.
How can I purchase Cosmo Code? How do I get product support?
You can now purchase Cosmo Code from our Cosmo Code Sales Site. For just $495 (US dollars), you can buy a permanent license and pay by credit card using our secure commerce server... even if you're coming from outside the US! However, you'll need to obtain an evaluation license before purchasing over the web, so make sure you visit our Download Cool Software site before making your purchase. You may also order Cosmo Code from any worldwide sales office or by calling 1-800-800-SGI1 if you are in the US or Canada.
Product support is available from any worldwide sales office for products purchased either through the web or from your local sales office.
Where can I get more information about Cosmo Code and Java Development?
When you download Cosmo Code, you will receive the product release notes and on-line assistance. Sun's Java server contains links to a wealth of Java Documentation. Also, comp.lang.java contains useful information about Java development.
You can try out the demo to get an overview of all the features. Access the demo from the Help menu or from /usr/Jdev/webdocs/demotop.html. You can also use the Help menu in Cosmo Code to view sgihelp cards.
The Silicon Graphics Developer Forum in May 1996 will feature hands-on training and seminars about Cosmo Code, Moving Worlds and Java development. For more information, check out http://www.sgi.com/Support/DevProg.
Please send any additional comments about Cosmo Code or Silicon Graphics' product offerings to cosmocode@sgi.com.