PDA-Swing-OVM for Naked Objects Framework

Introduction

PDA-Swing-OVM is an User Interface plugin which makes possible to run applications written for Naked Object framework in a PDA device. Existing Naked Objects applications can be run on a PDA just by changing one line in a configuration file of the application.

In Naked Objects framework Object Viewing Mechanism (OVM) is independent of applications and applications are independent of OVMs. This makes possible to run Naked Objects applications with very different OVMs targeted to different devices or environments just by switching the OVM. And one OVM can be used with all Naked Objects applications. This way huge amounts of code can be saved when developing applications for multiple devices.

PDA-Swing-OVM is in a very early phase of development and is not yet guaranteed to work with all Naked Objects applications. PDA-Swing-OVM is based on NO-framework version 1.2.

Screenshots and Demos

Java applet demonstrations below require Java Plugin version 1.4 or above coming with J2SE JRE 1.4. You can download the Java Runtime Environment JRE from http://java.sun.com. Users of Internet Explorer can try a special page, which automatically downloads and installs the plugin.

Applications below are example applications coming with Naked Objects framework. These applications are perhaps not very good candidates to be used in a PDA device. The point of these demonstrators is to show that existing applications using Naked Objects framework can be easily run also on PDA devices.

Application	Desktop screenshot	PDA Screenshot	PDA Demo Applets
Orders			[ All Browsers ] [ Internet Explorer only]
ECS			[ All Browsers ] [ Internet Explorer only]

Version history

TODO

replacing swing with a faster toolkit, e.g. SWT
tailored editors for different naked value types
bookmarks or similar system to enhance navigation between objects
etc., etc.

10.2.2004 Improved version

Empty associations are marked with grey text label.
Views are updated when objects in associations are set or removed.
Menu items that cannot be performed are now disabled.
Objects can be added from shelf to collections
Updated to work with Naked Objects Framework version 1.2.
1 to 1 associations can be created and removed by using the Shelf
Objects can be removed from lists.
Readonly fields disabled in NakedField editor.
Naked Field editor now saves changes when focus is lost
Shelf added. The functionality is similar to clipboard. Objects can be put into shelf and later used for establishing associations or invoking one parameter methods.
One parameter actions can be now invoked. The parameter is taken from the shelf.
List of instances is now shown in class view. Previously the only way to show instances was to select Instances-Action from the class popup menu.

15.5.2003 Original version

Downloads

pdaswingovm-0.1.1-src.zip

Running on a real device

Biggest problem running PDA-Swing-OVM on a real device is that it requires javax.swing. -library. You can get an old JVM 1.1.8 compatible Swing-library from http://java.sun.com, but not all JVM's seems to work with it very well - and if it works it is terribly slow.

We have managed to get this PDA-Swing-OVM to running on CrEme virtual machine form NSICOM which come with its own slightly tailored version of Swing. Version 3.24 of CrEme however has a bug in reflection which a consequence that Naked Objects framework does not to see all fields of certain objects. We are using an iPAQ with an 400MHz XScale processor which gives Java and Swing a good boost compared to older 200 MHz models.

Contact information

Heikki Keränen
E-mail: heikki dot keranen at vtt dot fi
Phone: +358 8 551 21025, GSM: +358 40 751 2207