Jmk - Overview

This is release Beta 0.3.1 of the Jmk Software - 100% Pure Java.

Welcome.

This file contains information you need to install Jmk, and additional information not included in the product documentation. For the latest information, please check the Jmk Web Site.

This README file is divided into the following sections:

Installation

Documentation

To run Jmk

Software Requirements

Download

Registration / Evaluation

Look and Feel

Tutorial - First guided tour

Acknowledgment and Trademarks

E-MAIL Address

WHAT'S NEW IN JMK

Level 0.3.0

This version includes a syntactical text editor.

Note: Jmk 0.3.0. requires a 1.3 java platform at the least.

Level 0.2.0

The different layouts have been implemented in this beta.

All the borders are operational with Java 1.3, additionally you may use multiple borders.

Note: The Java 1.2.2. version does not support borders because of a bug in the Java classes.

Level 0.1.0

The different layouts are being tested, so they are not included in this beta. Only the "nolayout", i.e. the possibility of setting your controls anywhere you want, by using the Drag and Drop options, is available in this beta.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Jmk is a multiplatform tool, composed of an Interface Builder, a System Recovery, a generator of Java source code. It aims at the Java developers community.

100 % pure Java, Jmk is therefore compatible with all the platforms that support Java 1.3 (i.e. Sun/Solaris, Linux, Windows NT, Windows 9x, Windows 2000, Aix and OS/2). Though Jmk runs only under Java 1.3, the code generated by Jmk is compatible from Java 1.1.8 to 1.3.

Since Jmk is both in 100 % pure Java and 100 % Swing, you may change the Look and Feel available on your platform.
All the features implemented on this beta version are operational. They will allow you to use the product with real satisfaction. Part of Jmk was generated by Jmk itself.

Receiving feedback about this product is one of the reasons of this betatesting cycle.

SYSTEM RECOVERY

The Jmk system recovery has been designed to retrieve and restore your data in any circumstances, even after a crash system, a power-off, etc...

The system recovery is associated with a persistent undo/redo that allows you to undo or redo any action you made with the interface builder.

INTERFACE BUILDER

The Jmk interface builder is a WYSIWYG, real interface builder allowing you to design your application by using the Drag and Drop, Click operations, etc... All the components are visual, this will obviously include menus, popup menus, etc...

The interface builder offers a menu bar and popup menus accessible by clicking the right mouse button.

EDITOR OF CODE

Jmk has a very powerful syntactical editor. This editor has its own system recovery. The editor is called automatically by the interface builder, nevertheless you may use it in a standalone way via the following command :
java -classpath Jmk.jar JmkEdt.

GENERATOR OF CODE

Jmk has a very powerful, nice look generator of code. It generates a .java file, modifiable both by Jmk and developers. This source code is shared between both of them. There is no banner such as "You may begin to modify" between two comments, so it lets you free to modify the code at your own convenience by using any code editor, or of course the JmkEdt included to the product. It also generates type Abstract classes. Those Abstract files must not and cannot be modified by developers.

In other words, Jmk generates two files : one modifiable both by Jmk and developers, and a second one not modifiable because systematically regenerated.

INSTALLATION

There is no installation, strictly speaking. The product is provided in a zip format, it must be unzipped in the directory that fits you. By unzipping this file you will get the Jmk.jar file, ready to run. More, you will get a readme directory that contains this file.

You are strongly recommended to add the path of the Jmk.jar file into the classpath of your system.

DOCUMENTATION

The documentation is not included in the beta version.

TO RUN Jmk

If your operating system allows it, you may click on the Jmk.jar icon. If your operating system does not allow this possibility, you may use either the java -classpath Jmk.jar Jmk or java -jar Jmk.jar commands.

SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS

Jmk requires you to have a Sun-compatible Java 2 SDK version 1.3 installed.

Java 2 SDK has been released for the following operating systems : Solaris, Linux, Windows NT, Windows 9x, Windows 2000, Aix and OS/2.

DOWNLOAD

YOUR INITIAL USE OF THE Jmk SOFTWARE INDICATES YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF THE SOFTWARE LICENSE AGREEMENT.

Jmk Beta 0.3.1 is called "jmkbeta-0.3.1.zip" (size 1 M).
You can download it from:

Internet: JBC Solutions - North American Site

REGISTRATION

If you are part of the betatesting cycle, you are given a registration key and will dispose of a beta version not limited with its functionalities. Betatesters accept to destroy the Jmk package once the beta cycle is ended.

How to register Jmk ? (register the beta version at no charge)
Please fill in the beta registration form and send it to Internet: jbc@JBCSolutions.com
When you receive your registration data, start Jmk as follows :
java -jar Jmk.jar -reg

Please report bugs and feedback at : jbc@JBCSolutions.com. Do not forget to send us the Jmk.log file associated with your bug report.

If you not are part of the betatesting cycle, the Jmk version you downloaded is a beta/evaluation version. This version allows you to generate code, compile and test applications, but excludes the save of designs. Moreover, some recovery manager functionalities are restricted. The users who do not wish to register agree they will not use the product beyond a one month period of use, and then will destroy all the files.

LOOK AND FEEL : The interface builder disposes of several windows :

TOOLBAR

TOOLBAR : this window displays icons. Each icon allows -through the Drag and Drop mechanism- to create windows and components inside the interface builder's workplace.

**TOOLBAR**
TOOLBAR : this window displays icons. Each icon allows -through the Drag and Drop mechanism- to create windows and components inside the interface builder's workplace.

CONTROL PANEL

CONTROL PANEL : this window shows the arborescence of the application's components. By dragging and dropping icons inside the same Control Panel, you may change the components order. By dragging and dropping icons to the Jmk workplace or to an interface user which is being designed, you may copy or move those components, according to the Ctrl and uppercase keys.

**CONTROL PANEL**
CONTROL PANEL : this window shows the arborescence of the application's components. By dragging and dropping icons inside the same Control Panel, you may change the components order. By dragging and dropping icons to the Jmk workplace or to an interface user which is being designed, you may copy or move those components, according to the Ctrl and uppercase keys.

PROPERTIES

PROPERTIES : this window allows you to change the attributes of a component.

**PROPERTIES**
PROPERTIES : this window allows you to change the attributes of a component.

**EVENTS**
EVENTS : this window allows you to create or remove events associated with components.

**METHODS**
METHODS : this window shows methods created either by Jmk or by developers.

**COMPILATION**
COMPILATION : If you ask Jmk to compile your code, Jmk will display automatically the error messages as well as the lines of code associated to these errors.

PERSISTENT UNDO/REDO

PERSISTENT UNDO/REDO : The system recovery is associated with a persistent undo/redo that allows you to undo or redo any action you made with the interface builder. If a system crash occurs while you are creating a new design (i.e. a new ODB file), or updating a previous design, just re-start Jmk and re-load your design : it will be automatically updated by the recovery manager.

**PERSISTENT UNDO/REDO**
PERSISTENT UNDO/REDO : The system recovery is associated with a persistent undo/redo that allows you to undo or redo any action you made with the interface builder. If a system crash occurs while you are creating a new design (i.e. a new ODB file), or updating a previous design, just re-start Jmk and re-load your design : it will be automatically updated by the recovery manager.

TUTORIAL

Creating a simple application to introduce the Jmk basics:

This chapter is organized to give you an overview of Jmk's functions so you can become productive without delay. By understanding how Jmk is used conceptually, you will be able to make the most effective use of this tool.

How to start Jmk ? If your operating system allows it, you may click on the Jmk.jar icon. If your operating system does not allow this possibility, you may use the java -jar jmk.jar command. Starting Jmk is really a quick operation, so you may quit the program then start it again without inconvenience.

After starting Jmk, click on Open ODB in the Jmk FILE menu. This menu will allow you to either re-open an ODB, or to create a new ODB, that is, a new design.

FIRST GUIDED TOUR

In the File Name field, type Example1.

Once you confirm that you want to create a new design, click on the Windows tab in the toolbar. Drag and drop the first icon on the Jmk's deskstop.

Clicking on the frame will cause this frame to be focused, allowing you to enlarge or move it.

Selecting an object can be made by clicking the left mouse button.

If you click the mouse button, such as shown in the side picture, you may move or resize components. If you do the same operation (clicking with the Ctrl key), you will be able to duplicate the component. If using the uppercase key, you will be able to remove a component from its parent and drop it to the desktop or to another component. This will be very useful when you want to insert a component between two components.

In the toolbar, click on the Container tab, drag and drop the first icon onto the frame : you have inserted a panel within the frame.

In the toolbar, click on the Component tab. Drag and drop the third icon, i.e. the push button, then drop it into the panel you just inserted.

Click on the fifth icon, i.e. Text, just do the same as previously : drop it below the button.

OBJECT PROPERTIES

You may click on the right mouse button and on the popup menu properties. You may change properties, that is, different options of those controls, by clicking on the different available options.

ALIGNMENT

If you want those both controls to be aligned (i.e. button and label), click both button and label with the left mouse button + the Ctrl key. Those controls will be focused in pink. With a threebutton mouse, you may handle this operation by clicking the mouse button 3, without using the Ctrl key.

Note : each time you will click a pink button, that is a button which is part of a group, this button will be toggled : once it will be part of the group, once it will be removed. If you want this group of controls to be aligned, click both on the right mouse button and the alignment you want.

**FIRST GUIDED TOUR**
In the File Name field, type Example1.
Once you confirm that you want to create a new design, click on the Windows tab in the toolbar. Drag and drop the first icon on the Jmk's deskstop.
Clicking on the frame will cause this frame to be focused, allowing you to enlarge or move it. Selecting an object can be made by clicking the left mouse button. If you click the mouse button, such as shown in the side picture, you may move or resize components. If you do the same operation (clicking with the Ctrl key), you will be able to duplicate the component. If using the uppercase key, you will be able to remove a component from its parent and drop it to the desktop or to another component. This will be very useful when you want to insert a component between two components.
In the toolbar, click on the Container tab, drag and drop the first icon onto the frame : you have inserted a panel within the frame.
In the toolbar, click on the Component tab. Drag and drop the third icon, i.e. the push button, then drop it into the panel you just inserted.
Click on the fifth icon, i.e. Text, just do the same as previously : drop it below the button.
OBJECT PROPERTIES You may click on the right mouse button and on the popup menu properties. You may change properties, that is, different options of those controls, by clicking on the different available options.
ALIGNMENT If you want those both controls to be aligned (i.e. button and label), click both button and label with the left mouse button + the Ctrl key. Those controls will be focused in pink. With a threebutton mouse, you may handle this operation by clicking the mouse button 3, without using the Ctrl key. Note : each time you will click a pink button, that is a button which is part of a group, this button will be toggled : once it will be part of the group, once it will be removed. If you want this group of controls to be aligned, click both on the right mouse button and the alignment you want.

EVENTS

Events may be set by clicking both the right-mouse button and Events from the popup menu.

This will cause the juxtaposed window to be displayed.

In the frame at the bottom of the list, you will see an event named "WindowClosing".

Select this item and click on the Create button.

A window containing a skeleton of texts about the event to be handled will be displayed.

Replace the "Remove this comment and specialize processing here" with : System.exit (0);

Expert developers may disable the "line protected" option

Change the init method as follows :

// get_Frame().show();

Remove both //

Close this window.

The Event window will still be displayed : click on the Button item and, on the middle tree view, click on the first action :

actionPerformed

On the right-hand side, click on Create. You have created a action on this button that will be enabled when you click on this button.

Replace the "Remove this comment and specialize processing here" with :

get_Label().setText("Hello");

By using the get_Label() method, you will get an object named Label and set a "Hello" text.

Note : changing the names of your controls via the properties panel will cause your source code to be modified in accordance with the preferences you set in the Option menu.

You have just created a simple application to be compiled.

Now, without quitting Jmk, you may compile and test the application you have built by using the Compiler and Run Application menus.

At present, there is no debugger in the beta version of Jmk.

Trademarks.

® Sun, Solaris, Java are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc.

® Microsoft, Windows NT and Windows 95 are registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.

® Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.

® IBM, OS/2, Aix , are registered trademarks or trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation.

® Intel, Pentium, i386, i486 are registered trademarks or trademarks of the Intel Corporation.

(*) Other trademarks are the properties of their respective owners.

[ Top ] [ Table Of Contents ] [ Home page ]

E-MAIL: JBC

Internet: jbc@JBCSolutions.com

This page has been built with HomePage Publisher.

EVENTS Events may be set by clicking both the right-mouse button and Events from the popup menu. This will cause the juxtaposed window to be displayed. In the frame at the bottom of the list, you will see an event named "WindowClosing". Select this item and click on the Create button.
A window containing a skeleton of texts about the event to be handled will be displayed. Replace the "Remove this comment and specialize processing here" with : System.exit (0); Expert developers may disable the "line protected" option
Change the init method as follows : // get_Frame().show(); Remove both // Close this window.
The Event window will still be displayed : click on the Button item and, on the middle tree view, click on the first action : actionPerformed On the right-hand side, click on Create. You have created a action on this button that will be enabled when you click on this button.
Replace the "Remove this comment and specialize processing here" with : get_Label().setText("Hello"); By using the get_Label() method, you will get an object named Label and set a "Hello" text. Note : changing the names of your controls via the properties panel will cause your source code to be modified in accordance with the preferences you set in the Option menu. You have just created a simple application to be compiled.
Now, without quitting Jmk, you may compile and test the application you have built by using the Compiler and Run Application menus. At present, there is no debugger in the beta version of Jmk.