Although you can write Java applications with a text editor, most software developers would rather not--especially when it comes to big Internet or intranet applications. Typically developers choose one of the Java application development systems with an integrated development environment (IDE). With Inprise/Borland Corporation JBuilder 3 you can see why: so much of the application organizing and fundamental coding has already been done, and done well.

Of course, JBuilder can be used to create applets and beans, but its strength is its integration of numerous tools for developing full-scale applications. JBuilder covers the development cycle from a Data Modeler for designing databases, to the AppBrowser that assembles the Java classes and code, to the multi-platform debugger, to the Deployment Wizard for distributing applications, and to the JavaDoc Wizard for program documentation.

Inprise/Borland is known for including additional software  for added value and JBuilder 3 continues that tradition, which (depending on edition) also includes the InterBase database server, PVCS Version Control, and VisiBroker 3.2 CORBA server. Considering JBuilder's relatively low price (see next page for pricing information) , it is the current best bang for the buck among the major Java development systems.

The maturation of Java is an important ingredient in the steady improvement of Java products, but the intense competition and eagerness to make Java succeed have also led to innovations and polish that make Java tools the leaders in the software development industry. A good example is JBuilder's embrace of Java 2. This is not a me-too exercise; considerable thought and effort has gone into updating the entire system, including more complex components such as data-enabled objects (dbSwing) and a Java 2 debugger. Altogether, over 300 Java components are bundled with JBuilder, yet the overall integration and design of JBuilder continues to improve with the user interface becoming less cluttered even though it is handling more complex tasks. This is thanks to the AppBrowser, which uses panes, tabs, and tree displays to deftly manage the chaos of typical application elements.

 Full support for Java 2 and Swing are part of Borland/Inprise jBuilder 3

JBuilder has a very comfortable mix of visual programming (in the UI Designer), code structures and snippets to start program elements (from the Object Gallery), and an excellent code editor. The editor uses CodeInsight, a set of inline editing support features that include code completion, parameter filling, expression tool tips, and some error checking. All of these features can be configured (or turned off), making JBuilder coding as supportive or "on your own" as you wish.

For complex tasks JBuilder offers a coven of Wizards: Project, Application, CORBA Server, applet, JavaBean, Panel, DataModule, Class, Servlet, Desktop, Internal frame, Override methods, Implement Interface, Resource Strings, Deployment, JavaDoc, Package Migration, Data Migration, Bean Insight, and Enterprise JavaBean. This impressive list is not a substitute for understanding the programming, but Wizards can save time and help when your memory fails.

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