Got some old code you'd like to update? Have a look at how it's done with the NervousText example program that's been distributed with the JDK^TM.

All AWT components in JDK 1.1 are Beans. This means they are already set up to be used as reusable components in builder tools. However, older JDK 1.0 programs and some JDK 1.1 demo programs are not built as Beans. This lesson describes how to convert existing programs and applets into Beans.

You'll start by taking the NervousText sample applet and turning it into a Bean. You can look at this file in the JDK 1.1 distribution tree under the directory demo/NervousText.

There are several advantages to learning about Beans by converting existing programs. First, you'll be able to concentrate on the parts of the program or applet that are unique to Beans. Second, by working on a familar example program that is somewhat typical of other programs you may need to convert, you will see the Beans features you need to learn first.

The concepts introduced in this lesson include:

• Reflection
• Event Handling
• Bean Customization

Start by taking a look at the existing JDK 1.1 code for the NervousText.java. As you may already know, this applet displays jittering text on the screen, giving the impression that the text has had a little too much coffee this morning. The JDK 1.1 version of NervousText will be the starting point of reference from which subsequent changes in this lesson will be made.

The next section, Making NervousText into a Bean, contains the steps to make the conversion.

		Questions? 30-Jan-98 Copyright © 1996,1997 Sun Microsystems Inc. All Rights Reserved.