Learn Java with JBuilder 6

Most every Java book in existence relies on the free command-line Java compiler shipped with Sun's Java 2 SDK. This text bucks the trend with a focus on using the power of JBuilder to create simple applets and applications. Beginning with setting up the JBuilder tool, the author uses its wizards and code editors to jump-start this introductory tutorial. Twenty-one chapters (called "skills") highlight particular JBuilder tasks, like using the wizards to create basic applets (and applications). One section of note here provides a nicely digestible tour of Java language basics. Early chapters also give you the basics of drawing and file I/O APIs.

Basic applets that do simple animations and provide simple user interfaces with Swing components are the rule here. A sequence of several chapters dig into the details of creating (and consuming) custom JavaBeans for clients. (While this is arguably an old-fashioned approach to learning Java, as client-side JavaBeans have been eclipsed by server-side Java over the past few years, the benefit of this approach is that newbies will begin to code with reusable components early on.) Subsequent chapters look at adding bean persistence (using serialization APIs), property editors, and other more advanced features with beans.

Later chapters extend the range of options for basic Java programmers with a look at deployment, menus, and toolbars. This text circles back to the JBuilder environment with sections on customizing the IDE, like creating custom code templates and other productivity boosters. Final sections look at JBuilder 6 features for the enterprise, notably built-in UML support and EJB wizards.

Overall, the author's accessible presentation style and hands-on focus on using JBuilder's wizards to do more, more quickly, will help put basic Java programming into reach for a wide range of readers seeking to tackle this popular programming language for the first time. --Richard Dragan

Topics covered: Introductory tutorial for Java using the JBuilder 6 IDE; installing and registering JBuilder 6; tour of basic IDE features (including project, applet, and application wizards); tutorial to basic Java syntax (data types, strings, classes, variables, and methods); exception handling; basic applet programming (including animation, sound, and multithreading support); basic Swing controls for user interface programming; layout managers (including XYLayout); basic drawing techniques using the Java2D APIs; file I/O APIs explained; tutorial for client-side JavaBeans, built-in beans, and the JBuilder Component Palette; creating custom beans (with properties, methods, and events); using bean introspection and custom property editors; serialization and bean persistence; Java deployment with JAR files; menu support (plus using the built-in dialog boxes for choosing colors and fonts); using toolbars; internationalization (including resource bundling); customizing the JBuilder environment (with project defaults and code templates); using code obfuscation; debugging multithreaded programs (the JBuilder debugger); introduction to JBuilder Professional and Enterprise features (including UML support and EJB wizards).