Advanced Java Programming

(J2EE LC)
Unit 4 - Java Beans
Course Objective
Introducing Java Beans

Simple Java Bean

Why Java Bean

Java Beans in User Interface

Naming conventions

Summary

ER/CORP/CRS/LA22/003
Copyright © 2005, Infosys 2
Technologies Ltd Version 1.00
References

“Developing Java Beans” by Robert Englander

“The awesome Power of Java Beans” by lawrence H Rodrigues

“Creating Java Beans: Components for Distributed Applications” by Mark Watson

“Java Beans for Real Programmers” by PeterWayner

ER/CORP/CRS/LA22/003
Copyright © 2005, Infosys 3
Technologies Ltd Version 1.00
What is a Java Bean?

Component
– An artifact that is one of the individual parts of which makes a composite entity

– Usually a component is a part that can be separated from or attached to a system or

module in a system

A Java bean is a reusable software component

– Java Beans is the de-facto component model in Java world

– Java Bean is NOT AN Enterprise Java Bean (EJB)

• EJB is covered in Introduction to J2EE

Various Frameworks and Tools can use Java Bean components to build
something bigger
ER/CORP/CRS/LA22/003
Copyright © 2005, Infosys 4
– Example 1: An address component holds address of a person
Technologies Ltd Versionin a program
1.00
What is Java Beans? (Continued…)

Java Beans API provides a framework for defining software components that
are
– Reusable: Component which is capable of being used again and again

– Embeddable: Component which is expected to function without human

intervention.

– Modular: A solution made of several discrete pieces, so that any piece can be
replaced without rebuilding the whole solution

Allows creation of reusable components

– Library of reusable components can be built

– Third Party library of components can be used to build an application

ER/CORP/CRS/LA22/003
Copyright © 2005, Infosys 5
Technologies Ltd Version 1.00

Frameworks and Builder tools which use Java Beans components use Java
 class Employee {
Simple Java Bean private int employeeNumber;
private String employeeName;
Employee Class ...
public void setEmployeeNumber
– Has all data members
(int employeeNumber) {
private
this.employeeNumber=
– Does not have a employeeNumber;
constructor }
public int getEmployeeNumber() {
– A pair of public Get/Set
return employeeNumber;
methods for all or most
}
member variables public void setEmployeeName
– Names of Get/Set methods (String employeeName) {
should match the variable this.employeeName=
employeeName;
names
}
Results in an Employee public String getEmployeeName() {
Bean return employeeName;
}
Has properties
...
ER/CORP/CRS/LA22/003
– employeeNumber } © 2005, Infosys
Copyright 6
Technologies Ltd Version 1.00
– employeeName
Why Java Beans?
Many real life situations require components to work with various frameworks and
libraries

Data is in text files, XML files or other textual forms have to be mapped programmatically
in many applications
– Names in text form can be mapped to variable names of a class

– Reflection API <Employee>

in Java is used to achieve this

– Example: <employeeNumber>29853</employeeNumber>
<employeeName>Tom</employeeName>
...
</Employee>

This is one of the reasons why Java Beans is used 7extensivelyER/CORP/CRS/LA22/003

Copyright © 2005, Infosys
in both UI frameworks
Technologies Ltd Version 1.00
and Server side code
Properties
Properties are Discrete attributes of a Bean that are referenced by name
– Example: “EmployeeNumber” is a property of EmployeeBean

Value of a property can be read programmatically by using a name

ER/CORP/CRS/LA22/003
Copyright © 2005, Infosys 8
Technologies Ltd Version 1.00
Where do we use Java Beans?
Data handling and data intensive applications for mapping textual data to variables

Server side applications which use component based design

Web technologies and related frameworks like JSP, Struts etc

– JSP Tag beans (covered in Introduction to J2EE course)

– Struts is a framework for presentation layer of Java based web applications

GUI applications based on Java Beans components

– Rarely used because of limited scope of Java in GUI applications

ER/CORP/CRS/LA22/003
Copyright © 2005, Infosys 9
Technologies Ltd Version 1.00
Java Beans in User Interface
BDK (Bean Development Kit) was a specification from Sun for creating and using
reusable UI based Java Beans

Difference in UI Java Beans compared to Simple Java Beans

– Methods to draw on screen are provided

– Methods to persist data and settings

• Persistence: storing data of an object in a non-volatile manner and retreiving it when required

– Event Handling methods to respond to user action on UI components

– Customization of component’s features which are visible graphically

– Application Builder or similar GUI frameworks can understand and use these components to
build GUI Screens

ER/CORP/CRS/LA22/003
Copyright © 2005, Infosys 10
Technologies Ltd Version 1.00
Java Beans in User Interface (Continued…)
Application Builder tool and other GUI Frameworks for using Java Beans
– Use Reflection API and display all the properties and events offered by a Java Bean in a toolbar
in the development environment

– Developer can manipulate properties and write event handler code in development environment

– Properties can also be manipulated programmatically

ER/CORP/CRS/LA22/003
Copyright © 2005, Infosys 11
Technologies Ltd Version 1.00
Application Builder Tool Java Bean components
(Classified in tabs)

Properties Window – Displays List of events

properties of selected bean supported
ER/CORP/CRS/LA22/003
Copyright © 2005, Infosys 12
Technologies Ltd Version 1.00
Sample Java Beans used in User Interface

Button Bean

Slider Bean

ER/CORP/CRS/LA22/003
Copyright © 2005, Infosys 13
Technologies Ltd Version 1.00
Naming Conventions
Bean
– Class name: Any user defined name

– Should not have a constructor

Properties
– What makes up a property?

– Example:

• A private data member called ‘employeeNumber’

• A public get method by name ‘getEmployeeNumber’

• A public set method by name ‘setEmployeeNumber’

• Together these three form a property of a bean called ‘EmployeeNumber’

• Note: Method names and variables names are case sensitive

ER/CORP/CRS/LA22/003
Copyright © 2005, Infosys 14
Technologies Ltd Version 1.00
Summary
Java Beans is the de-facto component framework used in Java applications
– Used in data manipulation, server side code
– Used rarely in GUI applications

How to write a simple Java Bean

– Define Class, Data members and Properties

Use of Java Bean in applications

– Data handling and data intensive applications
– Server side applications
– Web technologies and related frameworks

Java Beans in User Interface

– BDK and GUI Frameworks for using Java Beans

Application Builder tool which contains

– Java Bean components
– Properties Window which displays properties of selected bean
– List of events supported

Naming conventions
– For Bean
– For Properties

ER/CORP/CRS/LA22/003
Copyright © 2005, Infosys 15
Technologies Ltd Version 1.00
Thank you

ER/CORP/CRS/LA22/003
Copyright © 2005, Infosys 16
Technologies Ltd Version 1.00