Java Beans

A Java Bean is a reusable software component that can be manipulated visually in a builder tool. This is Sun's succinct definition of a bean.

In this discussion, we will first examine this definition and elaborate on it. We will describe the motivation for using beans, and the tools necessary for creating beans. And then we will look in detail at the key concepts related to Beans, including properties, methods and events, introspection, persistence, customization and others.

Along the way, we will answer the following general questions:

What pieces are required to create Java Beans?
What makes a bean a bean, and what is a minimal bean?
What are the requirements a bean must satisfy, and how does a bean meet these requirements?
How is a bean deployed?
How do you use beans?

What is a Java Bean?

This section elaborates on the description of a bean.

Why Beans?

The motivation for using beans.

BDK and the BeanBox

What the BeanBox is, what the BeanBox isn't.

Properties, Methods and Events

What requirements are there for implementing properties, methods and events in Java Beans?

Introspection

What are the techniques used to discover information about a bean at design time or runtime?

Persistence

How Beans implement persistence using Java Object Serialization.

Making Beans

Some examples.

Customization

Brief explanation.

Packaging Beans

Brief explanation.

Checklist

Brief explanation.

References

I found the following references to be useful:

This link will take you to the JavaBeans documentation page. On this page, you'll find links to the documentation listed below (available in various formats).

JavaBeans Specification 1.01 ...A very readable document which provides a good overview of the JavaBeans model and key concepts. From the horse's mouth.
JavaBeans API Definitions ...The standard javadoc-generated reference for the API. If you install the BDK, you'll have a local copy of this documentation.
The Beans chapter of The Java Tutorial...Steps you through writing both simple and more advanced Beans.
The JavaBeans Tutorial... A different tutorial, more emphasis on using the BeanBox.

Also on this page is a list of books about JavaBeans. I used Developing Java Beans, the O'Reilly book by Robert Englander, and I thought it was pretty good.