Java Thin-Client Programming for the Network Computing Environment

Jurgen Friedrichsis a leader of the Jalapeño Team of JavaBeans engineers at IBM Corporation. Henri Jubinis a project leader in the OO/AD group at IBM's International Technical Support Organization (ITSO), Austin Center.

Figures.


Tables.


Preface.


The Team That Wrote This Book. Comments Welcome.



1. Introduction.


A Thin Client Application-The Lunar Medical Center Story. About the Book. Structure of the Book. Who Should Read This Book. Assumptions. How to Use This Book.



2. Network Computing and Network Computers.


What is Network Computing? Problems with Network Computing. The Network Computer (NC). A Network Computing Strategy.



3. Distributed Applications.


The Monolithic, Nondistributed Alternative. A Look at Some Issues. Considering Distributed Systems Design & Development Strategies. In Summary.



4. HTML-Based Clients.


Browsers and Web Servers. HTML Overview. Client Intelligence-JavaScript.



5. Java-Based Clients.


A Brief Overview of Java. Client-Server Computing with Java. The Lunar Medical Center's Java Application. The Lunar Medical Center's Java Applet. Some Java Facilities Supporting Enterprise-Wide Network Computing. In Summary.



6. Design Decisions.


Designing the Object Model for the Lunar Medical Center's Systems. Designing the Applications: Considering Alternatives. The Lunar Medical Center Implementations. In Summary.



7. Java Servlets and HTTP Communication.


Overview of the Hypertext Transfer Protocol and Request Methods. Common Gateway Interface. Java Servlets.



8. Java Servers Using JDBC.


Overview of JDBC. Using JDBC. The LMC's JDBC Implementation.



9. Java Servers and Socket Communication.


Introduction to TCP/IP sockets. Sockets with Java. The LMC's Socket Implementation. In Summary.



10. Java Servers and RMI Communication.


RMI: An Easy Way to Implement Java Client/Server Applications. The RMI Architecture. RMI from a Programmer's Perspective. The LMC's RMI Implementation. In Summary.



11. Client Diets.


Looking at the Options. In Summary.



12. Tasty Additions.


Introduction to SmartCards. Sample SmartCard Application. Accessing a Serial Port.



13. NC Deployment: Using IBM Network Stations.


Introduction. Software Requirements. The Initialization Process. IBM Network Station Set Up. The IBM Network Station Manager. The Configuration Files. The Startup Files. The IBM Network Station User Services. The IBM Network Station Message Log. Accessing the Serial Port. Coming Soon: IBM Software Release 3.



14. Java in the IBM Network Station.


Introduction. Java Virtual Machine. Memory Requirements. Java Settings. Running Java Programs in the IBM Network Station. Troubleshooting Java Execution Problems. The eSuite.



Appendix A: Brief HTML Reference.


Top Level Tags. Character Formatting Tags. Block Formatting Tags. Table Tags. List Tags. Forms Tags. Miscellaneous Tags.



Appendix B: Java Development: Using VisualAge for Java.


The VisualAge Family. VisualAge for Java Overview. Integrated Development Environment (IDE). Enterprise Access Builders (EAB). System Requirements. Summary.



Appendix C: Special Notices.


Appendix D: Related Publications.


International Technical Support Organization Publications. Redbooks on CD-ROMs. Other Publications.



How To Get ITSO Redbooks.


How IBM Employees Can Get ITSO Redbooks. How Customers Can Get ITSO Redbooks. IBM Redbook Order Form.



List of Abbreviations.


Index.


ITSO Redbook Evaluation.