Programming with Microsoft AFC

Quickly master Microsoft(r) AFC^TM and design cutting-edge GUIs for your Java programs.

This is definitely not just another AFC reference! It's a hands-on programming guide for Java developers who want to add great-looking user interfaces and stylish graphics to their Java applets and applications.

Microsoft's answer to all of the well-known problems associated with JavaSoft's AWT—AFC—is quickly becoming the first choice among Java programmers for designing GUIs and working with 2D graphics. Now here's your chance to quickly master the knowledge and skills you need to use AFC for:

• Creating hot user-interface components for your programs
• Laying out your program's user interface in an intuitive and easy-to-use fashion
• Making optimal use of color, graphics, and fonts
• Distributing your AFC applets on the Internet
• Using advanced drawing features, and more.

And, just to make your life that much easier, Eric Swildens and Selena Sol have provided complete style guidelines for each AFC class!

On the CD-ROM, you'll find:

• Nearly 100 Java AFC programs and ready-to-use GUI components
• Trial version of Neuron Data's Elements Presenter/J^TM

With the release of Microsoft's Windows Foundation Classes (WFC), it's likely that the earlier extension to Java, the Application Foundation Classes (AFC), will become much less important for developers. But for early adopters and those who want an introduction to the capabilities of AFC, Programming with Microsoft AFC surely fits the bill.

Throughout this book the authors provide working Java examples along with an introduction to the capabilities of AFC and intermingle a lot of reference material (which might best be placed in an appendix). The authors cover the basic control types available in AFC along with the fundamentals of event handling and layout managers in both standard Java Developer's Kit (JDK) programming and AFC. Next the authors describe the individual elements of AFC interface design, ranging from menus to dialogs, and the dozen or so controls that are the heart of AFC programming. (The controls allow developers to deliver rich, native style interfaces in Java, whether in applets or applications.) Final sections deal with AFC's 2-D graphics abilities, which allow Java programmers direct access to Graphical Device Interface (GDI) graphics (including TrueType fonts) on Win32 platforms.

Unfortunately for the authors, much of Microsoft's weight is now being thrown behind its WFC initiative, which will surely make AFC development less crucial. (It may be that AFC will remain Microsoft's nod to cross-platform developers, while WFC remains Windows-only.) However, this comprehensive guide offers all you will ever need to become a proficient AFC developer.