Lotus has placed its full weight (which is rather large considering IBM's presence) behind the Java language. Full support was added in Domino 5.03 with minor enhancements in each incremental release. The latest release (5.05) includes Java libraries for working with XML (eXtensible Markup Language).

Why bother with Java?
The big question, you may ask yourself, is why bother with Java? I can offer four solid reasons.

• Java is object-oriented. Everything is an object. In Domino, there are database objects, session objects, document objects, and so forth. The result is a componentized application with the end-goal of reusability for individual components.

• Java offers broader support. There are no other platforms or applications that support the proprietary LotusScript language. On the other hand, the list of Java platforms is seemingly endless.

• Java has standard network communication features. Java was developed as an Internet language, so network communication functionality is built into the core language with a common protocol of TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol). You can create network savvy applications in no time.

• Java is portable. We've touched on this point, but it deserves to be repeated. Java code developed in Domino can survive outside the Domino environment. Try that with LotusScript.

Plus, Java has skill-set transportability. You can transfer your Java skill-set in addition to your Java code. It's always a good idea to make yourself more marketable with a new skill.

Domino Designer
One of the excellent additions to R5 is a separate development environment. This includes a rudimentary Java editor and compiler. The best part of it is syntax checking and error reporting.

You may want or need the more advanced features of third party IDEs (Integrated Development Environments), so you do have that option. That is, an IDE such as Visual Café, Jbuilder, or VisualAge for Java can be used to develop Domino Java code. Actually, VisualAge includes directions for working with Domino Java classes.

The Domino Designer allows Java code to be typed directly into it. It also allows Java classes to be imported from the file system. Basically, it has the same layout as the LotusScript editor. Class files in the current project/agent are organized in the left frame/window under the tab labeled Classes. Notice, our agent uses the standard name assigned to all new classes created: JavaAgent.