The Changing Face of VisualAge for C++ and VisualAge for Java

ince this is the premiere issue for "Eye on Objects", I will devote this article to setting the stage for the current VisualAge for C++ and the upcoming VisualAge for Java. In future articles, I can give you my observations from real life development projects and experiences with programmers and customers. From working with customers that use VisualAge for C++, I run across a ton of useful tips and samples that can help you develop better applications faster. Just like all developers, I have my own biases and accumulated experiences that get reflected in my opinions. I usually stick to the facts, but anyone who knows me, knows that I have no problem expressing my opinion.

VisualAge for C++ has really grown over the years. Currently, the product set has versions which support OS/2, Windows NT and Windows95, Aix, Solaris, AS/400, and MVS. As I meet with customers, I usually preview the platforms covered by VisualAge for C++, because cross-platform support is a key strategy for VisualAge. Also I frequently get asked questions like, "When will you have a C++ product on Aix?" I have to graciously explain that there is a version on Aix, and you can use it today.

The various versions have many common elements while still taking advantage of native platform support. VisualAge for C++ for Windows is version 3.5, so this is the latest version of the product set, and it supports both Windows NT and Windows 95 for application development and additionally Windows 3.1 for running applications. This support is possible because the product takes advantage of Win32s support, but this support will be dropped in the next release of the product. For the Windows version, make sure you install the 3.52 Fixpak if you are using Windows NT V4.0. It is a good idea to keep the latest Fixpaks installed.

My expertise is more on the client side of application development software, but I have been involved with customers using the the IBM C++ products on servers. The Aix version of the product has most of the base controls and function as the other version, but it is missing the latest new user interface controls available in the OS/2 and Windows versions. The AS/400 version has recently been updated, and it supports both OS/2 and Windows clients. It provides interfaces to access AS/400 data, and it runs on the new RISC AS/400 machines. And the MVS product is widely used in enterprises.

So the VisualAge for C++ family of products currently supports a broad range of platforms fulfilling a key strategy. IBM is working on updated versions on the client platforms of OS/2, Windows, and Aix. These updated versions will have additional function, increased performance, and more commonality. As the betas for these releases near, you can learn about specific features and details of the product.

VisualAge for Java

You may have heard about IBM's new product for Java development. Currently it is in a limited beta which will soon be expanded to an open beta. You can register for the beta on the web at: www.software.ibm.con/ad/vajava.

This website is a good place to keep up on what's happening with Java in IBM. There are also links to other websites and information on the ever-evolving Java standards. The explosion in Java usage and tools over the last year has improved the language faster than any other language in history. This rapid change has caused strategies and architectures proposed for Java implementations to be in constant flux.

IBM has been demo-ing VisualAge for Java at many trade shows, so you may have seen one of the early prototypes. Like the other VisualAge products, VisualAge for Java is a comprehensive development environment which includes a variety of tools and services. VisualAge for Java will support version 1.1 of the JDK (Java Developer Toolkit) and utilize Java Beans as parts. It will use the native Java classes like the AWT (abstract windowing toolkit) which contains the common user interface components. VisualAge for Java combines the best qualities from VisualAge for C++ and VisualAge for Smalltalk. It combines the integrated development characteristics and rapid testing of the Smalltalk tools with the powerful code generation, data access technology, and higher performance executables of the C++ product.

The VisualAge for Java beta is so new that any comprehensive overview in time for the first issue of Eye on Objects is impossible. There are tons of people rushing to get up to speed on an early internal version of the beta, so you can get a glimpse of it. Once the public beta is available, it will be worthwhile going into greater detail on its function. Just like the other VisualAge products, the Java version will support multiple development platforms including OS/2, Windows NT and 95, and Aix.

There are other Java tools in the market like Microsoft J++, Symantec Cafe, and many others. Some of the tools like Symantec Cafe and VisualAge for Java will be able to create and use Java Beans as this support becomes available in early 1997. The goal of Java Beans is to have platform independent Java objects. It is a worthwhile goal, and it promises to raise the level of functionality for Java applications and applets. These tools are easily obtained from standard software retailers and catalogs. Since most Java products are fairly inexpensive, developers should investigate these tools and get a little hands-on Java experience.

New VisualAge Books

To get more useful information on how to build applications now, I have enclosed the titles and a brief description of some new VisualAge books. In January 1997, there were three more VisualAge for C++ books that hit the market, and they are excellent reading. These books really help you exploit VisualAge for C++ and they are full of what programmers need: samples, samples, and more samples. All of these books help prepare you for IBM VisualAge for C++ Certification.

Programming in Windows with VisualAge for C++ for Windows
by Marc Carrel, Michael Friess, and Isabelle Mauny
ISBN 0-13-618208-9 published by Prentice Hall

This book covers the Windows version of VisualAge for C++ and is a revision of the OS/2 version of the book titled "Object-Oriented Application Development Using VisualAge for C++" that came out in April of 1996 which included a sample real estate application. This book has a good example of a complete project including the OO analysis and design needed to properly develop the application as well as the complete iterative development of an application. The book also covers setting up Projects using the WorkFrame IDE (Integrated Development Environment), and it has a section covering the ODBC support introduced with the Data Access Builder and Open Class Library in VisualAge for C++ for Windows.

Marc Carrel is on assignment from IBM France, and he works at ITSO at the San Jose, California Lab. Micheal Freiss (IBM Germany) and Isabelle Mauny (IBM France) worked on the book during an internship at San Jose. They are all skilled C++ developers and they help European customers with technical support. IBMers can order it in PUBORDER using SG24-4782-00.

VisualAge for C++ Visual Programmer's Handbook
by Dale Nilsson and Peter Jakab
ISBN 0-13-614322-9 published by Prentice Hall

This book is great for getting step-by-step instructions on building a number of sample applications. You will get familiar with IBM Open Class Library and its many classes and functions. You will use the Visual Application Builder and the Data Access Builder to generate C++ source code for your applications. There is a complete sample showing how to incorporate help into your applications. The last chapter wraps up with many essential samples (like how to make DLLs) and performance suggestions.

It has trial versions of VisualAge for C++, DB/2, and all the labs with their answers in two CD-ROMS, one for Windows (both NT and 95) and one for OS/2. This book is available at your local bookstore using the ISBN number, or you can get a good discount by using one of the web bookstores like www.bookpool.com. This website is a pretty cool source for technical books and they use DHL so you can get your books fast. IBMers can order it in PUBORDER using SC09-2489-00.

Prentice Hall publishes many VisualAge books covering various topics. Many of these books are publications from the IBM ITSO group. There are additional VisualAge for C++ and VisualAge for Java books planned for 1997 with Prenice Hall. You can get complete information on these books on the Prentice Hall website at: www.prenhall.com

Power GUI Programming using VisualAge for C++
by Hiroshi Tsuji, Bob Love, William Law, and Bruce Olsen
ISBN 471-16482-8 published by John Wiley

This is a revised version for the previous VNR book by the same authors that came out in October of 1995. The authors are on the VisualAge Open Class development team, except for Bill Law who is a consultant for Taligent. These guys designed and built a good part of the Open Class Library and got some additional help with the book from some of the other developers. The Power GUI Book has been updated with the additions to Open Class Library in the latest Windows and OS/2 releases of VisualAge for C++ the product, for example the IToolBar and IFlyText controls. This is a "must have" for programmers, because it provides great insight into the Open Class Library along with many useful samples. The book has a CD-ROM with a trial version of the product and most importantly softcopy of the samples. IBMers can order it in PUBORDER.

VisualAge Technical Events

There are always a number of trade shows and marketing events were you can see the latest VisualAge products. There are a few upcoming VisualAge events that are more than marketing demos, so I have listed them with a brief description:

March 12 and 13, Solution Partnership Center West, San Mateo, CA

A VisualAge Java workshop which will introduce developers to the beta version of IBM VisualAge for Java development toolset. You can get more information about the Solution Partnership Center and upcoming events on the web at www.spc.ibm.com.

March 15 and 16, Solution Partnership Center East, Waltham, MA

This is a VisualAge Java workshop, the east coast version of same workshop given in San Mateo. If you are interested in attending either of the SPC sessions, you can look on the web at www.spc.ibm.com. The events scheduled for the Solution Partnership Centers after March will be scheduled in late February then placed on the SPC website.

May 11 through 15, Technical Interchange, St. Louis, MO

This is a one day hands-on Objects C++ workshop. It is taught by Peter Jakab and I, and we use our book "VisualAge for C++ Visual Programmer's Handbook" to do some of the labs. Attendees get hands-on experience using VisualAge for C++ and our book, so they can complete the additional labs not covered that day.

There are other technical sessions at the Technical Interchange that cover certain areas of the VisualAge products, and many of these sessions specifically cover VisualAge for C++ and VisualAge for Java. This is a very good place to meet (and grill) the experts on current software technology and learn the plans for the upcoming year.

Conclusion

Well, that should give you a good overall view of VisualAge for C++ and the upcoming VisualAge for Java products. The current C++ products have a lot of function and maturity for building robust applications today. The Java beta will soon be out and it should make it a lot easier to create a whole new class of client applications. One of the best and most challenging aspects of application development is the constant change. When you are frustrated and getting fed up with all this rapid change, just keep saying to yourself, "Change is good, change is good...."

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Dale Nilsson is a Senior Software Consultant with IBM VisualAge. He has been programming software since 1976 using a number of different programming languages using PCs, minis, and mainframes. He has experience working with customers and vendors throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, and South America. Dale currently works with customers providing software consulting and education, technical presentations, and application design using Visualage for C++ and VisualAge for Java. He is also an Advisor and Contributor to the VisualAge Certification program.

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