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Last updated 06/28/04
The open source class libraries for MPE/iX
The GNU Concurrent Versions System (CVS) Software
All of the Open Source Class Libraries are maintained using the GNU CVS
(Concurrent Versions System) software. You can
get more information about cvs here, including
how to check-out a copy of the library for your own development.
The TurboIMAGE Class Library
The TurboIMAGE Class Library provides access to TurboIMAGE databases
from Java programs. There are two 'levels' to the class library, and
programmers may access either level, or a combination of the two. At
the lowest level are Java implementations of the TurboIMAGE intrinsics,
such as DBOPEN, DBGET, and DBPUT. The calls parameters are nearly
identical to the standard intrinisics, so experienced TurboIMAGE
programmers will be able to use the class library with very little
learning time. At a higher level are Java objects that represent
various entities such as a Database, Dataset, or Entry, and methods
that allow you to operate on these entities (for example, the
Dataset object has a readSerial() method that is equivalent to
DBGET mode 2).
More information about the TurboIMAGE Class Library
The MPE Class Library
The MPE Class Library is the second Open Source Class Library
to be made available. The purpose of this library is to make
it possible to call MPE Intrinsics from Java without the need
of writing stub code using the Java Native Interface (JNI).
Since the JNI only supports C and C++ development, the need to
use JNI provided a real barrier to programmers in COBOL or other
languages who wanted to interoperate with Java.
The MPE CLass Library can be though of as a multi-layered
set of interfaces. At the lowest layer, there is a generic
calling mechanism that permits Java programs to call any
library-resident code. On top of this is an intrinsic support
layer, which frees the programmer from the need to supply
parameter and return type information for system-defined
intrinsics. Finally, there is an abstraction layer which
presents an object-oriented view of the MPE system intrinsics.
More information about the MPE Class Library
The VPLUS Class Library
The concept for this library is somewhat different from the
MPE and TurboIMAGE libraries, which were designed to allow Java
programmers to use the library to access data in native platform
formats. With the VPLUS library, the intent is to allow non-Java
programs (e.g, COBOL, Transact) to have a graphical user interface
that is developed in Java.
The VPLUS Class Library is the run-time component of HP's
Visage user interface project for MPE/iX, which has been
developed jointly with LegacyJ, Inc.
LegacyJ provides a 'VPLUS Import Filter' that reads VPLUS forms
files and converts them to Java code based on the JFC/Swing
user interface classes. This user interface can then be customized
as desired using LegacyJ's BlueJ Graphical Application Painter.
The customized user interface is then controlled at run time by
the VPLUS Class Library, which is in turn called by an Intercept
Library that intercepts VPLUS API calls at application run time.
The VPLUS Class Library has not yet been uploaded to the Interex
Open Source repository for general availability.
More information about the VPLUS Class Library
Contributing to the open source class libraries
The Open Source Class Libraries depend on user contributions
for their survival. If you find the class libraries useful, but
lacking a particular feature that you really want or need, you
are encouraged to develop that feature and contribute it to the
class library. We encourage using the SIG JAVA mailing list to
discuss such features, as the participation of other potential
users of any new functionality can help refine the design and
ensure acceptance of the feature when it is completed.
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