Experiences with IDEs and Java Teaching: Experiences with IDEs and Java Teaching: What Works and What Doesn't: What Works and What Doesn't:

Together ControlCenter (Borland)Together ControlCenter (Borland)

Paul J. WagnerPaul J. Wagner

University of Wisconsin – Eau ClaireUniversity of Wisconsin – Eau Claire

ITiCSE 2003ITiCSE 2003

Integrated Design/Development/DeploymentIntegrated Design/Development/Deployment

Features (version 6.0.1)Features (version 6.0.1)

BasicBasic Integrated UML 1.3 design and JDK 1.3.1 developmentIntegrated UML 1.3 design and JDK 1.3.1 development

Changes to design generate code, changes to code affect designChanges to design generate code, changes to code affect design UML: class, use case, sequence, collaboration, activity, state component, UML: class, use case, sequence, collaboration, activity, state component,

deploymentdeployment Flexibility in window display: explore, design, edit/develop, messagesFlexibility in window display: explore, design, edit/develop, messages UI BuilderUI Builder Integrated debuggingIntegrated debugging

AdvancedAdvanced Tools: e.g. Database System Connections, RefactoringTools: e.g. Database System Connections, Refactoring Good support for J2EE, Web ServicesGood support for J2EE, Web Services Version controlVersion control IntegrationsIntegrations

Accelerators – Together products that extend ControlCenter (few)Accelerators – Together products that extend ControlCenter (few) Plug-Ins – Together and 3Plug-Ins – Together and 3rdrd party modules that provide added functionality off party modules that provide added functionality off

of the Together API (many; e.g. Ant, Oracle 9i, J2EE)of the Together API (many; e.g. Ant, Oracle 9i, J2EE) Other Editions: Solo, JBuilder, WebSphere StudioOther Editions: Solo, JBuilder, WebSphere Studio

Feature TabsFeature Tabs

Pros and ConsPros and Cons

ProsPros Tight integration of object-oriented design, development, Tight integration of object-oriented design, development,

debugging and deploymentdebugging and deployment Subset of environment is accessible for beginners (one lab exercise Subset of environment is accessible for beginners (one lab exercise

mid-semester after familiar with another IDE)mid-semester after familiar with another IDE) Smoother transition into full-scale software developmentSmoother transition into full-scale software development

ConsCons Resource hungry – good with 2 GHz processor/1GB main Resource hungry – good with 2 GHz processor/1GB main

memory, not good with significantly lesser machinesmemory, not good with significantly lesser machines Whole product is too much for beginnersWhole product is too much for beginners CostCost

MiscellaneousMiscellaneous

More information:More information: http://www.togethersoft.comhttp://www.togethersoft.com http://www.borland.com/togetherhttp://www.borland.com/together http://bdn.borland.com/togetherhttp://bdn.borland.com/together

Note:Note: In the past we used both Together and IBM Visual AgeIn the past we used both Together and IBM Visual Age Visual Age for Java will not be supported past 12/03Visual Age for Java will not be supported past 12/03 New/Updated products => WebSphere Studio/EclipseNew/Updated products => WebSphere Studio/Eclipse If still interested in Visual Age, look at:If still interested in Visual Age, look at:

http://www7b.software.ibm.com/wsdd/zones/vajava http://www7b.software.ibm.com/wsdd/zones/vajava