Making Sense of Java Acronyms

AWT

Abstract Windowing Toolkit. A mechanism for doing GUI based on the operating system's built in controls.

GUI

Graphical User Interface.

JAVA

The programming language, usually consisting of the Java Development Kit (JDK) and the Java Runtime Environment (JRE).

JavaBeans

A mechanism of publishing interface properties and methods so that classes can be used like components. If you've seen the VisualBASIC property list, this is what Beans allow you to do with your code.

JDK

Java Development Kit. The compiler, debugger, utilities, libraries, and examples. Documentation is so large it comes in a separate file. You may not redistribute the JDK with your application.

JRE

Java Runtime Envirmonment. The virtual machine which executes Java byte codes. You may redistribute the JRE with your application.

Swing

Also known as Swing Set. Basically, when incompatabilities were found between various platform low-level GUI components, developers at Sun produce their own GUI by drawing controls on a canvas (the same way Windows does). Thus, you're looking at graphics emulating controls, and not the low-level operating system controls themsevles. As a result, it is possible to get different looks and feel and all kinds of interesting behaviors.

This page last updated