Java(TM) Boutique: Software Review AppletEase, Part 2

Software Review: AppletEase, Part 2

Scott Clark

The AppletEase application is written in Java, and as such, has the typical look and feel of a Java applet or application. The user is presented with two windows: (See Figure 1) a main window that enables the user to both see the applet in action and change the applet's parameters, and a smaller "Applet List" window that allows the user to select a class file or HTML page to work with.

Figure 1 The two AppletEase windows

Initially, the user is presented with the applets that are located within the Applet directory, which itself is located subordinate to the AppletEase directory. To work with other applets, the user must click the "Browse" button on the AppletList window and locate the applets on their computer.

Once the user has selected an applet by double-clicking on the applet's name in the AppletList window, the applet is displayed in the main AppletEase window, along with the available parameters. To test the applet using different parameters, you simply change them in the main window either manually, or by double-clicking on the parameter name and bringing up the parameter window. The parameter window enables you to visually change the aspects of the parameter in question, via a selection of colors, fonts and other variables. You then simply click the "Apply" button (the green arrow). The changes are instantly viewable, so you know what they will look like in your Web page, and you can view the applet in your Web browser for a final check as well.

Once you're satisfied with the appearance of the applet, you can view the HTML code and/or save it to file. You can continue to work with additional applets, and review them by clicking the "previous" and "next" arrow buttons.

AppletEase can be a valuable tool in the Web developer's arsenal. Once the user has installed the JRE, the product is a snap to use, and is available for almost any operating system. It is also a very convenient utility that can save developers much time and frustration, and that's a big plus in my book!

This article first appeared in September, 1998

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