An introduction to the java foundation classes (JFC)

Abstract

The Java event source/listener protocols are fundamental to the construction of GUIs as the user's interactions with the interface generate events whose listeners supply the required behaviour. The Java 1.2 Java Foundation Class (JFC) user interface toolkit supplies a collection of interface components that have a richer visual appearance and increased functionality compared with the Abstract Windowing Toolkit (AWT) that it replaces.Knowledge of a widget set is necessary, but not sufficient, for the production of artefacts that have a high degree of usability. State Transition Diagrams (STDs) provide a notation for the expression of required behaviour at the initial design stage. STDs can also be used to inform the design of classes within a three (application, presentation and translation) layer architecture; can also be used to validate the behaviour of the completed artefact and used to derive usability metrics.