Sun Targets Newbie Developers With Java Studio Creator Toolset

Those restrictions, however, are a clever way to attract beginning developers or developers who aren't interested in learning all the intricacies of Java but need to get Web applications running quickly using Java Server Pages (JSP). The graphical elements and straightforward programming concepts that Java Studio Creator uses for developing Web applications might also attract some .Net programmers.

Other Java IDE tools offer too many choices, making it difficult for beginners to write simple server-side applications. The Java Server Pages Faces (JSF) standard components included with Java Studio Creator make this transition easy. By allowing developers to drag and drop components in a design environment, the tool allows even a novice developer to quickly create forms, data tables and various text fields. Beginners can also take advantage of JSF input-field validators and data converters. Creator provides simple JSF field validation components that check for numerical types and field lengths. About 10 converter components are standard in the JSF library. The library also includes specialized components such as Link Action, Inline Message and Secret Field, which are useful tools for enhancing a Web application.

Web services APIs are relatively easy to add to an application since there are so few development methods in Java Studio Creator. The software includes 13 sample Web services applications to help newcomers build services and interface with external services.

Java Studio Creator is priced at $99, but it comes free with a Sun Developer Network Standard subscription. Sun offers Web-based sales and technical training, various profitability programs and compensation for marketing creation initiatives.

CRN Test Center engineers tested Java Studio Creator in Windows XP and two Linux desktop flavors, Xandros 2.0 and SuSe 9.1. On all three platforms, the IDE performed adequately when designing pages, with only a few minor delays. However, compared with Windows, compilation and deployment were excruciatingly slow in Xandros and SuSe. The tool froze completely while debugging and writing code and could not refresh properly. Java Studio Creator's poor performance on Linux OSes might discourage adoption, especially by beginners.

Sun provides technical support to end users, authorized iForce partners and partners eligible under its Reseller Services Business model. Sun's iForce portal features promotional programs, sales and training information, and competitive information.

CHANNEL PROGRAM SNAPSHOTS
>JAVA STUDIO CREATOR 2004Q2
COMPANY: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Santa Clara, Calif.
(800) 872-4786
www.sun.com
DISTRIBUTORS: Distributors/Integrators: AC Technology Inc., Arrow Moca, GEAccess, GTSI Corp., IC Synergy, LLC, Innovativ Systems Design Corp., SSI Hub City, TechData
AUTHORIZATION REQUIREMENTS: Must qualify for Sun Software Elite Program.
TECH RATING:

CHANNEL RATING:

Note: Vendors can earn up to five stars for technical merit and five for their channel program. If the average of these two scores is four stars or greater, the product earns CRN Test Center Recommended status.