JSP Basics with Java Studio Creator 2 for VB Programmers

The Palette window shown next, with just the Data Providers node expanded, has objects that correspond to the Toolbox in Microsoft IDEs; the code related to these objects is written differently, as we shall shortly see. Palette consists of two tabbed pages; it is currently showing the Components. Each of these items when expanded will provide enough items to create a variety of rich Internet applications, the buzz word on web space.

The other tabbed page is the Code Clips which is a repository of code snippets you may want to use in your project. This is an excellent feature that will enhance your skill as you can quickly look up the syntax, coding tips, etc. It also allows you to add your snippet to this reusable repository.

The Servers window shows three types of servers: the Data Sources, the Enterprise Java Beans and the Web Services. The out-of-the-box installation also has a Deployment server which is administered at the URL=> http:// localhost::24848. Additionally the IDE has a bundled Java database server and a remote deployment server as well.

The nodes may be expanded by clicking on the plus sign. The properties of the objects can be reviewed by right clicking the object and looking for the properties menu item in the pop-up drop-down. The UI experience in creating or modifying objects is very similar to what you will find in Microsoft IDEs. It is possible that the experience is not an exact duplicate, nor is the speed the same.

The Outline window shows the page that is designated as the start page. The picture shows  the structure of the Verify.jsp page with the HTML contents. It also has a web service client proxy added. The other objects have place holders but are empty. As you add more objects this hierarchical diagram grows, showing all the objects, similar to, for example, Document Outline in the Data Access Pages.

The Dynamic Help is extremely useful as a gateway to most of Java as well as Sun Microsystems-related Javadocs and references. You can also access many of the tutorials on Java, JSP and JSF (Java Server Faces) from here.

There are a few other windows not discussed here, but they can be accessed from the View in the main menu as shown. The Output window where you get your build results, runtime where you can access HTTP Server and runtime processes and commands and any refactoring can all be accessed.