Java Look & Feel Design Guidelines

Java Look & Feel Design Guidelines

by Sun Microsystems, Inc, Javasoft
     
 
Java Look and Feel Design Guidelines provides essential information for anyone involved in the process of creating cross-platform Java(TM) applications and applets. Offering design guidelines for software that uses the Java(TM) Foundation Classes (JFC) together with the Java look and feel, this book offers designers and software developers an unparalleled
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Overview

Java Look and Feel Design Guidelines provides essential information for anyone involved in the process of creating cross-platform Java(TM) applications and applets. Offering design guidelines for software that uses the Java(TM) Foundation Classes (JFC) together with the Java look and feel, this book offers designers and software developers an unparalleled resource.

The book addresses:

  • Design concepts underlying the Java look and feel
  • The JFC and effective ways to use JFC components
  • Techniques for handling the design challenges posed by cross-platform delivery, applets, accessibility issues, and internationalization and localization requirements
  • The flush 3D effect, drag texture, color model, and other graphical hallmarks of the Java look and feel
  • Windows, dialog boxes, menus, and toolbars
  • Basic controls
  • Display and editing of text
  • Tables, toolbars, and tree views
  • Keyboard navigation

As the Java language has matured, designers and developers have come to recognize the need for consistent, compatible, and easy-to-use cross-platform Java applications. The Java look and feel meets that need by providing a distinctive platform-independent appearance and standard behavior for the enterprise environment. The use of this single look and feel reduces design cost and development time, and lowers the cost of training and documentation for all users.

Written by the experts at Sun Microsystems, Inc., this timely book provides many useful recommendations to designers for the use of the Java look and feel. By following these powerful guidelines, you can create Javaapplications with the flexibility, visual appeal, and consistency you need.



Editorial Reviews

The Barnes & Noble Review
Back in the mid-'80s, one of the things that made the Mac so insanely great was its unwavering commitment to a consistent user interface. Learn one application, you could learn the next far more easily. Windows developers have similar guidelines, but until recently, Java developers have been on their own. Sun has admirably filled this gap with the new java look and feel design guidelines — a comprehensive set of visual design rules that aren't just consistent and coherent, but downright attractive.

Like Java itself, these guidelines fit beautifully into multiplatform environments. Sun's rules refine the best GUI techniques that have been developed for Windows, Mac, Solaris, and other platforms — and take pains to help users of those systems understand what's expected of them instantly. Java's flush 3D style is clean, modern, and attractive — and uses 3D without the visual noise that accompanies traditional "beveled edges."

This 100% full-color book walks you through high-level application design issues; Java visual design themes, colors, fonts, layout and animation; application graphics that work well across platforms; icon and symbol design; and both mouse and keyboard behaviors. You'll review how to build compliant applications with Java Foundation Classes (JFC) components — including windows, panes, and frames; dialog and alert boxes; controls; menus, toolbars, text components, lists, tables, trees, and much more.

Use these guidelines, and your Java apps will look as great as they work. —Bill Camarda

Booknews
Provides software designers and developers information for creating cross-platform applications and applets in the Java programming language. Supplies design guidelines for software that uses the Java Foundation Classes. Does not include details of human interface design. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Product Details

ISBN-13:
9780201615852
Publisher:
Addison Wesley Professional
Publication date:
06/11/1999
Series:
Java Series
Pages:
264
Product dimensions:
7.36(w) x 9.24(h) x 0.67(d)

Read an Excerpt

PREFACE: Java Look and Feel Design Guidelines provides essential information for anyone involved in the process of creating cross-platform JavaTM applications and applets. In particular, this book offers design guidelines for software that uses the JavaTM Foundation Classes (JFC) together with the Java look and feel. (Unless specified otherwise, this book uses "application" to refer to both applets and applications.)

Who Should Use This Book

Although the human interface designer and the software developer might well be the same person, the two jobs require different tasks, skills, and tools. Primarily, this book addresses the designer who chooses the interface components, lays them out in a set of views, and designs the user interaction model for an application. This book should also prove useful for developers, technical writers, graphic artists, production and marketing specialists, and testers who participate in the creation of Java applications and applets.

Java Look and Feel Design Guidelines focuses on design issues and human-computer interaction in the context of the Java look and feel. It also attempts to provide a common vocabulary for designers, developers, and other professionals. If you require more information about technical aspects of the Java Foundation Classes, visit the Swing Connection web site at ...

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