Running the sample code The sample code, created in VisualAge for Java, will nevertheless run from the command line, using any Java Development Kit compatible with JDK1.1. To run the sample programs, you'll need:

One of the following source and executable archives:
- JWBeansNov99.jar - a Java JAR file
- JWBeansNov99.zip - for Windows
- JWBeansNov99.tar.gz - for UNIX systems
The input file used in the article, example.xml, which can be found along with the distributed source code in the archive you downloaded.
You'll need to download Swing 1.1, which is the version of the Java Foundation Classes (JFC) in package com.sun.java.swing (not javax.swing). This version of Swing is available from Sun for free download at http://java.sun.com/products/jfc/download-103.html
You'll also need a version of IBM's xml4j xml parser that's earlier than the current release. The 2.0 release of xml4j changed some of the parser APIs in ways that were not compatible with the current implementation of the XML Beans suite. Download the appropriate version of xml4j by visiting http://alphaworks.ibm.com/tech/xml4j, clicking the "Download" button, and selecting xml4j.1.1.16.zip or xml4j.1.1.16.tar.gz, as appropriate for your system.

Be sure to put the .jar files containing the sample code, xml4j, and Swing in your CLASSPATH. Then, run any of the demos like this:


$ java com.javaworld.JavaBeans.Nov99.AWTDOMGeneratorDemo
$ java com.javaworld.JavaBeans.Nov99.XMLStringGeneratorDemo
$ java com.javaworld.JavaBeans.Nov99.XMLTokenizerDemo

Keep in mind that the name of this site is alphaWorks, and as such, you can't expect APIs to be entirely stable. The purpose of alphaWorks is to developers to collaborate with IBM on designs, not to simply give away admittedly great software for free. The upside of this arrangement is that you, as a developer, have an opportunity to influence a vendor's products in the design phase. The downside is that APIs sometimes change in subsequent releases, breaking code that worked fine with a previous API. If you like the XML Bean Suite, go to the Discussions page for the project by surfing to http://alphaworks.ibm.com/alphaBeans, selecting the XML Beans link at the bottom of the frame on the left of the page, and selecting Discussions at the top of the resulting page. Then you can encourage IBM to continue to develop this useful toolset, by keeping it synchronized with JFC and xml4j.