Introduction

  • What is this document about?
  • What are Control Beans?
  • Downloading
  • Installing

    • What is this document about?

    This document contains instructions on how to use and/or develop the Control Beans package. Since Control Beans are a set of Java beans, a type of Java class suited to use in visual programming environments, this document will mainly focus on use of the package in such an environment.
    We have assumed that users who wish to use the package will have some experience of Java programming, though with most visual programming environments this won't be needed at all. Users who wish to develop the package further should also be familiar with Java AWT event handling and the Swing package. This is also something we have assumed when writing this document.

    What are Control Beans?

    Control Beans are a set of components that can be used to create a graphical user interface (GUI) for a control application1. The components themselves are a selection of the most common found in the Java AWT and Swing/JFC packages (i.e. buttons, sliders, etc.) plus a few more. The original components have been modified to allow them to receive and send values to some other kind of application. This would typically be a control application, though this need not be the case. The components can be used to control and monitor the application.
    Control Beans have been written in a way that makes development of new components and ways of communication easy.

    Downloading

    Control Beans are available in two versions:
    Current version (to be used with JDK 1.2.x)
    Old version (to be used with JDK 1.1.x and Swing 1.0.x)

    Apart from the compatibility they differ in that the old version have the old javadoc style plus a few minor changes in this documentation.

    The source is available on request to Micke@dsek.lth.se


    Installing

    How to install Control Beans on Windows/DOS.

    Unzip ControlBeans.zip to a directory of your choice. Among other things, the file ControlBeans.jar will be extracted to that particular directory.
    Add the path and filename for ControlBeans.jar to your CLASSPATH environment variable.
  • Windows 95/98: This is done in your autoexec.bat file. Add the full path and filename at the end of the file. It should look somthing like this: "set CLASSPATH=%CLASSPATH%;C:\Programs\jdk\ControlBeans\ControlBeans.jar".
  • Windows NT: Bring up the start menu and select Settings -> Control Panel -> System -> Environment Tab. Under "System Variables", find CLASSPATH and add the full path and filename.
    • Remember that javac and java are case sensitive even though Windows/DOS is not.

    How to install Control Beans on UNIX/Linux/SunOS/Solaris.

    Unzip ControlBeans.zip to a directory of your choice. Among other things, the file ControlBeans.jar will be extracted to that particular directory.
    Add the path and filename for ControlBeans.jar to your CLASSPATH environment variable. Exactly in which initialization file this is done varies but it is rather easy to do yourself.

    Example (will work on most UNIX/Linux type systems):

     %>  export CLASSPATH=$CLASSPATH:~/Java/ControlBeans/ControlBeans.jar
    Remember that javac and java are case sensitive.

    How to install the Control Beans package in NetBeans Developer.

    Note that this installation procedure is the same for all operating systems and if you do not plan on using the Control Beans package other than within NetBeans Developer you do not need to go through any of the procedures mentioned above.
    1. Unzip ControlBeans.zip to a directory of your choice. Among other things, the file ControlBeans.jar will be extracted to that particular directory.
    2. Start NetBeans Developer.
    3. In the explorer window, double click "Environment".
    4. Right click "Component Palette".
    5. Select "New Palette Category"
    6. Type in a name (for example "Control Beans") and click "Ok". On the component palette (in the upper right corner) there is now a new tab with the name you typed.
    7. In the menu "Tools", select "Install New JavaBean".
    8. A file selector dialog will appear. Find the file ControlBeans.jar and select it to be opened.
    9. A dialog will appear, showing you which beans are available. Select all beans (by holding down the Control key and selecting all of them) and click "Ok".
    10. Another dialog will appear, showing you which palette categories you may install to. Select the category you created above and click "Select".
    The Control Beans package is now installed. If you like you may rearrange the icons on the palette:
    1. In the explorer window, double click "Environment".
    2. Double click "Component Palette".
    3. Right click the category where you installed the Control Beans package and select "Change order".
    4. A dialog will appear. Use it to rearrange the icons and then click "Close".

    How to install the Control Beans package in other visual programming tools.

    Unzip ControlBeans.zip to a directory of your choice. Among other things, the file ControlBeans.jar will be extracted to that particular directory. Then please refer to the manual of the tool you are using. As there are numerous tools, all with different installation procedures, we cannot list them all.

    Footnotes.
    1 The concept "control" embodies controlling and monitoring some kind of process such as setting the position of a robot arm, controlling the r.p.m. of a motor, etc. Back.

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