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Lesson 2Java Beans Course Prerequisites
ObjectiveDiscuss the prerequisites for this course.

Java Beans Course Prerequisites

  1. A working knowledge of Java and its core APIs
  2. Writing and compiling basic Java programs using a text editor
  3. Knowing the mechanics of a Java compiler such as the compiler that comes with the Java Development Kit (JDK).

Platform support

  1. The JavaBeans Development Kit (BDK), which is used extensively throughout this course, is currently available for the (Solaris 8.0, 9.0, 10.0) / Red Hat Linux and Windows 2000/XP platforms.
  2. The Java Development Kit (JDK) is available for the Linux/Unix and Windows 2000 platforms.
  3. The JDK contains a Java compiler and a Java archiving tool.

As Beans become widely available, we will see more developers using them to build applications. But before these applications can be built, someone has to build the components. That is what this course is all about. JavaBeans is here now, and programmers must have the information at hand to begin creating components. So if you are ready to get right into the techniques and concepts used by the JavaBeans architecture, and if you want to understand the underpinnings of the technology that makes it work, this course is for you.

Java is a popular programming language increasingly being used for component-oriented and architecture based software development for the Web. The acceptance of Java technologies in both industrial and academic circles can be attributed to both Java language features and the Java platform. While the Java platform has been designed to support the paradigm of "write once, run anywhere", the Java programming language has been designed to reduce sources of common programming mistakes and provide greater control over the organization of software systems .
Java's support for organizing an application from coarse-grained components has an added benefit. It results in greater acceptance and use of the Java programming language and platform in Web-based applications. This course focuses on the support for component technology in Java, JavaBeans and various accompanying technologies, such as a Web server and an application server, that utilize JavaBeans to fulfil the needs of Web application development.
Support for component-oriented software development in Java has gradually improved from the early days of Java to the present. The earliest manifestation of Java's suitability for organizing applications around components was the JavaBeans framework, first released in late 1996, as a software component model for Java. JavaBeans are aimed at creating components that can be reused and integrated into larger applications.
Beans follow specific conventions and provide a loosely coupled interaction mechanism based on events. Beans also provide design and run time facilities such as introspection, customization, persistence, and security. Support for JavaBeans is provided in the form of standard libraries packaged by the Java run time environment in the java.beans package. Beans are commonly used for developing graphical user interface (GUI) widgets as well as nongraphical elements such as data structures that provide processing support for the GUI widgets.