What's New in Visual J++ 6.0

Microsoft Visual J++ provides an exciting, new development environment for Java programmers. We've enhanced the product with many special features:

• Windows Foundation Classes for Java (WFC)   This new application framework accesses the Microsoft Windows API, enabling you to write full-featured Windows applications with the Java programming language. WFC also wraps the Dynamic HTML object model implemented in Internet Explorer 4.0, which allows you to dynamically manipulate HTML on both the client and the server.
  
  
• Forms Designer   The Rapid Application Development (RAD) features of the Forms Designer make it easy to create form-based applications with WFC. Using the Toolbox, you can quickly drop WFC controls onto your form and configure their properties in the Properties window.
  
  
• ActiveX Data Objects (ADO) for WFC   WFC uses ADO components to retrieve data and perform simple data binding. Using the data controls in the Forms Designer, you can quickly access and display data on a form.
  
  
• Enhanced COM Support   Building COM objects is a simple process in Visual J++. You can also build ActiveX controls from WFC controls.
  
  
• Object Browser   You can quickly find information about Java or COM-based components without adding them to your project — even if you don't have the source code for these components.
  
  
• IntelliSense   This collection of programming technologies can assist you in writing code. The Statement Completion feature displays member lists and parameter information as you type.
  
  
• Enhanced Debugging Support   The integrated debugger has been enhanced with several new features, including multiprocess debugging, remote debugging, integration between Java and script, and a Running Documents window for debugging script code.
  
  
• Packaging and Deployment   You can package components together from your project or solution and deploy the packaged file to the Web.
  
  
• Multiproject Solutions   You can group multiple projects into a single solution. Each project can have a different type; for example, you can add a Visual J++ project and a Visual InterDev project to the same solution.
  
  
• Directory-Based Projects   Visual J++ projects are structured according to the file system. Each file and folder in a project corresponds to a file and folder on the hard disk. The Project Explorer helps you manage the files and folders in your project.
  
  
• Wizards and Builders   These tools help you create and modify the files in your project:
  • The Application Wizard guides you in creating a form-based application with WFC.
    
    
  • The WFC Component Builder adds properties and events to your WFC components.
    
    
  • The Data Form Wizard adds a data-bound form to your project.
    
    
  • The J/Direct Call Builder automatically inserts Java definitions for the Win32 API functions into your code.
• Full-Featured HTML Support   The HTML editor can help you insert links and bookmarks into your Web pages, create and modify HTML tables, and create scripts. The HTML editor also provides three views for working with Web pages: Source view allows you to edit the actual HTML source and tags; Design view provides a WYSIWYG environment for editing your files; and Quick view displays your Web page in a manner similar to how it will look in your browser.

For detailed information on the different editions of Visual J++, see Visual J++ 6.0 Editions.