Example applications for the Naked Objects framework

Also provided with the distribution is some sample code and one or more example applications that demonstrate how the framework works and how business objects are defined. The main example at present is the application for Executive Car Services that allows journey resevations to be made.

Running the sample code

To run the samples use the following commands under Unix/Linux (the nakedobjects directory will need to be modified for the specific version you downloaded):

cd nakedobjects1.0/examples/expenses chmod +x *.sh
./run.sh

Often there are other run files such as runOrders.sh, runManager.sh, and runProject.sh in the basic directory.

Under Windows the commands (entered via the MS-DOS Prompt) are very similar except the directories are separated by backslashes and it the batch file needs to be invoked:

cd nakedobjects1.0\examples\expenses
run.bat

Normally under Window (providing Java is set up correctly) you can start the examples by double-clicking the run.bat file in the file manager.

Using a Naked Objects application

Each application has one of more user scripts that explain in detail how an application might be used. These are the html files in the example's directory and they should be viewed in web browser.

The scripts explain how a specific application is used but does not (yet) explain how the underlying framework works. When an application is started its classes are displayed in a window on the left hand side of the screen. These class icons give the user access to the objects held and used by the system. Any other object that subsequently appears on the screen represents one of those objects. The objects can be manipulated as follows:

• Object actions can be invoked by right-clicking on an icon and selecting one of the options from the menu.
• New instances of a class can be created by selecting the New Instance option on the class icon.
• All the instances of a particular class can be shown by selecting the Instances option from the class icon.
• To inspect an object (when only an icon is shown) double-click - this opens up the object in-situ, to open up a new window select inspect... from the item's menu.
• Objects can be dragged by click-dragging on the icons and dropped by releasing the mouse button.
• Dragged objects can be dropped on empty object fields (identified by the grey hole; the label next to the hole specifies what type of object can be dropped). If the object can be dropped into that field then it will flash green. If the object cannot be dropped - either because it is the wrong type or that specific object is disallowed for some other reason - then the field will flash red. Dropping an object into a field sets up that field, effectively associating the two objects.
• Dragged objects can be dropped on to other object icons. If the object that you attempting to drop onto accepts that type of object then if will flash green. If that object does not accept that kind of object, or disallows that specific object, then it will flash red. Dropping one object on to another invokes a specific object action, for example: add this product to that order.
• Dragged objects can also be dropped on to the class icons. This operates very much like the previous option but invokes an action that is appropriate for the class rather than a specific instance. For example, create a new booking for this customer.

Copyright (c) 2002 - 2004 nakedobjects.org
You may print this document for your own personal use, or you may copy it in electronic form for access within your organisation, provided that this notice is preserved.