Basic intro/help with KDE
i tried using fvwm but it seems that it has a lot of configuration associated with it and all i needed was a quick start so i installed kde that i have been using for long time with fedora. but... unlike with fedora that includes all these apps, menues, etc. when kde is installed right now i cannot even launch a new shell from within kde - nor can i configure desktop, control panel, control center, etc. can someone point me in the right direction on how to be able to use control center and at least launch the shell? thanks in advance.
If you are switching to ArchLinux and want to install KDE, you found a very good distribution to fit your needs, as ArchLinux comes with one of the best maintained KDE branches out there, I assume. KDEmod is a modular KDE release, which underwent some patching and people are really keen on improving it day by day (the maintainers, dunkelstern and especially funkyou seem to blazing with motivation towards steadily improving it). So, if you want to use KDE under ArchLinux, you will probably get the best results, using it.
Look here for further information and an introduction as well as an howto for installing it.
Have fun with KDEmod!
P.S.: If you encounter any problems with it, I would like to encourage you to stick to the official KDEmod thread for reporting in order to keep it centralized and create a good overview of which issues people keep on having.
Similar Messages
-
hello everyone .. I have just install arch linux ( installed all packages on cd )
and now im stuck with runlevel4 .. I tried to startx but that brings me into a version ugly graphical desktop . I guess my real question is . How do I get KDE or Gnome running ?sysboy wrote:
hey scarecrow where and how can I get 3.4.2 on my system
pacman im guess ???
Simply edit /etc/pacman.conf and uncomment the lines related to "testing".
After that, "telinit 3" (as root), login as root, and "pacman -Syu" (or maybe "pacman -Sy kde", as the previous command will also fetch you the new xorg version from testing, which seems being OK, but I'm not 100% sure....)
This should effortlessly upgrade you to 3.4.2 (after some time, of course!).
To avoid nasties, get sure that NO external kde apps are installed (else uninstall them BEFORE the upgrade and recompile them after the upgrade...), and for safety rename your old .kde user (hidden) directory to something else (in case that some useful data were stored there- else simply delete it before logging to KDE again).
The biggest worry with KDE 3.4.2 is that it also brings gcc 4.0.1 with it, which still has some quirks (maybe this is the sole reason it's still at "testing"), but IMO we all should get accustomed to it- sooner rather than later... -
Really basic - Need help with autotrace result interpretation
I'm trying to look into database tunning in order to check efficency of my sql statments and I think AUTOTRACE is the first thing to look into.
I created two identical tables containing 250.000 rows. First one has no index the other one does
SET AUTOTRACE ON
SELECT *FROM TEST_250000
WHERE CUSTOMER_NO > 241000;
Plan hash value: 4257243307
| Id | Operation | Name | Rows | Bytes | Cost (%CPU)| Time |
| 0 | SELECT STATEMENT | | 15353 | 2623K| 750 (2)| 00:00:10 |
|* 1 | TABLE ACCESS FULL | TEST_250000 | 15353 | 2623K| 750 (2)| 00:00:10 |
Statistics
0 recursive calls
0 db block gets
2687 consistent gets
0 physical reads
0 redo size
390398 bytes sent via SQL*Net to client
427 bytes received via SQL*Net from client
12 SQL*Net roundtrips to/from client
1 sorts (memory)
0 sorts (disk)
Plan hash value: 174749588
| Id | Operation | Name | Rows | Bytes | Cost (%CPU)| Time |
| 0 | SELECT STATEMENT | | 9000 | 606K| 121 (1)| 00:00:02 |
| 1 | TABLE ACCESS BY INDEX ROWID| TEST_250000_INDEX | 9000 | 606K| 121 (1)| 00:00:02 |
|* 2 | INDEX RANGE SCAN | TEST_250000 | 9000 | | 22 (0)| 00:00:01 |
Statistics
0 recursive calls
0 db block gets
89 consistent gets
0 physical reads
0 redo size
390399 bytes sent via SQL*Net to client
433 bytes received via SQL*Net from client
12 SQL*Net roundtrips to/from client
1 sorts (memory)
0 sorts (disk)
My questions are following:
1) Am I assuming right that the time to execute first query is 0.2 sec and cost is 1500, while the other is 0.05 seconds and 164. Do you just simply add up ?
2.) What does the cost stand for? I mean what is the unit of it?
3.) There is a substantial difference in consistent gets. I found a definition ( gets number of times a consistent read was requested for a block). Could someone explain me what this means and why is it so different in two queries.
4.) What is the Plan hash value about?
Know it's a lot, but any help appreciated.
PS: I'm posting this to general, but is there a forum specializing in tunning?Jana Kralova wrote:
I'm trying to look into database tunning in order to check efficency of my sql statments and I think AUTOTRACE is the first thing to look into. TRACE and TKPROF uitilities are even better.
My questions are following:
1) Am I assuming right that the time to execute first query is 0.2 sec and cost is 1500, while the other is 0.05 seconds and 164. Do you just simply add up ?
2.) What does the cost stand for? I mean what is the unit of it?Comparing the cost of two queries isn't something you should focus on.
See: http://asktom.oracle.com/pls/apex/f?p=100:11:0::::P11_QUESTION_ID:313416745628
http://asktom.oracle.com/pls/apex/f?p=100:11:0::::P11_QUESTION_ID:956029960417
3.) There is a substantial difference in consistent gets. I found a definition ( gets number of times a consistent read was requested for a block). Could someone explain me what this means and why is it so different in two queries.http://asktom.oracle.com/pls/apex/f?p=100:11:0::::P11_QUESTION_ID:6643159615303
4.) What is the Plan hash value about?"PLAN_HASH_VALUE NUMBER Numerical representation of the SQL plan for this cursor. Comparing one PLAN_HASH_VALUE to another easily identifies whether or not two plans are the same (rather than comparing the two plans line by line)."
http://download.oracle.com/docs/cd/B19306_01/server.102/b14237/dynviews_2113.htm#REFRN30246
Oracle's Performance Tuning Guide can be found here:
http://download.oracle.com/docs/cd/B19306_01/server.102/b14211/toc.htm
Know it's a lot, but any help appreciated.See the documentation (depending on your database version) @
http://www.oracle.com/pls/db102/homepage
http://www.oracle.com/pls/db112/homepage
or start @
http://tahiti.oracle.com
and do your own searches on http://asktom.oracle.com as well, you'll find many examples and explanations.
PS: I'm posting this to general, but is there a forum specializing in tunning?I think you're in the right forum ;) -
Help with Project Management setup from very basics...
hi all!
i am new to e-business suite and now i have installed vision demo database successfully on a Quad Core with 320 GB hard and 4 GB ram...now i need help to setup Project Management (PM) module for a hypothetical construction company with the required functionalities (just limited functionalities and Not complete functionalities as in EBS).i need help in setting up Project Management module from the very basics...so can you help me out in this...thanks in anticipationHi,
Please post only once (do not post same thread across multiple forums).
help with Financials setup from very basics...
Re: help with Financials setup from very basics...
Regards,
Hussein -
Hi guys, i have a project to do and Ive chosen hangman. Ive already made the main program , but i need help with the GUI. I havent been taught about GUI in school, so all i know is what i could understand from a book and what ive read on the internet..
First , heres the code of my basic Hangman class:
import java.io.*;
import java.util.Random;
public class Hangman
public void maingame()throws IOException
InputStreamReader isr = new InputStreamReader(System.in);
BufferedReader br = new BufferedReader(isr);
String movies[]={"THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM","TRANSFORMERS","RUSH HOUR 3","THE INSIDE MAN","THE SIMPSONS MOVIE","THE LORD OF THE RINGS","DIE HARD 4.0"};
Random rand = new Random();
char current[]=(movies[rand.nextInt(movies.length)]).toCharArray(); //Convert a random string from movies array into a char array
char actual[]=new char[current.length]; //Store current state of guessed movie
for (int i=0;i<actual.length;i++)
if (isVowel(Character.toUpperCase(current))==true)
actual[i]=current[i];
else if (isSpecialChar(Character.toUpperCase(current[i]))==true)
actual[i]=current[i];
else if (current[i]==' ')
actual[i]='/';
else
actual[i]='_';
String hangman = "HANGMAN";
int turnsleft=7;
StringBuffer guessed=new StringBuffer();
while (turnsleft!=0)
System.out.println("\n\t\t\t\t"+hangman.substring(0,turnsleft)+"\n");
print(actual);
System.out.println("\nEnter your guess");
String inp = br.readLine();
if (inp.length()>1)
System.out.println("You may only enter one character");
else
char guess = inp.charAt(0); //Convert the entered string to char
if ( (hasBeenGuessed(guess,guessed)) == true )
System.out.println("You have already guessed that\nYou have "+turnsleft+" turns left");
else if (guess >= '0' && guess <= '9')
System.out.println("You cannot guess digits.All digits in a movie will will be filled in automatically");
else
guessed.append(guess);
if (isVowel(guess)!=true)
if (isCorrect(guess,turnsleft,current,actual)==true)
if (hasWon(actual,current)==true)
System.out.println();
print(actual);
System.out.println("\nCongratulations!You won!");
System.exit(0);
else
System.out.println("\nCorrect Guess!\nYou have "+turnsleft+" turns left\n");
else
turnsleft--;
System.out.println("Wrong Guess!\nYou have "+turnsleft+" turns left\n");
else if (isVowel(guess)==true)
System.out.println("You cannot guess vowels\nYou have "+turnsleft+" turns left\n");
else
System.out.println("You have already guessed that\nYou have "+turnsleft+" turns left\n");
print(actual);
if (turnsleft==0)
System.out.println("\nYou lose!\nThe movie was: ");
print(current);
System.exit(0);
private boolean isCorrect(char guess,int turnsleft,char current[],char actual[])
int flag=0;
for (int i=0;i<current.length;i++)
if ( Character.toUpperCase(current[i])==Character.toUpperCase(guess) && actual[i]!=guess ) //Check if guess is correct, and make sure it has not already been entered
actual[i]=guess;
flag=1;
else if (Character.toUpperCase(current[i])!=Character.toUpperCase(guess) && i==current.length-1 && flag==0)
return false;
if (flag!=0)
return true;
else
return false;
private boolean hasWon(char actual[],char current[])
char actualspc[]=new char[actual.length];
for (int i=0;i<actual.length;i++)
if (actual[i]=='/')
actualspc[i]=' ';
else
actualspc[i]=actual[i];
for (int i=0;i<actual.length;i++)
if ((Character.toUpperCase(current[i]))==(Character.toUpperCase(actualspc[i])) && i==actual.length-1)
return true;
else if ((Character.toUpperCase(current[i]))==(Character.toUpperCase(actualspc[i])) && i!=actual.length-1)
continue;
else
return false;
return false;
private void print(char arr[])
for (int i=0;i<arr.length;i++)
System.out.print(Character.toUpperCase(arr[i])+" ");
private boolean isVowel(char a)
if (a=='a' || a=='A' || a=='e' || a=='E' || a=='i' || a=='I' || a=='o' || a=='O' || a=='u' || a=='U')
return true;
else
return false;
private boolean isSpecialChar(char a)
//if (a>='a' && a<='z')
//return false;
//else if (a>='A' && a<='z')
//return false;
//else if (a==' ')
//return false;
//else if (a>='0' && a<='9')
//return true;
if (isLetter(a)==true)
return false;
else if (isWhiteSpace(a)==true)
return false;
else if (isDigit(a)==true)
return true;
else
return true;
private boolean hasBeenGuessed(char a,StringBuffer guessed)
for (int i=0;i<guessed.length();i++)
if ( Character.toUpperCase(guessed.charAt(i)) == Character.toUpperCase(a))
return true;
return false;
My first 2 questions are here:
a - Why does isLetter not work, it says cannot resolve symbol - method isLetter(char)... Im guessing even isDigit and isWhiteSpace wont work, so why? If i cant use them ill have to use the commented code, its kind of unprofessional..
b- Isnt there any way i can compare chars ignoring cases besides converting both to one case, like im doing now?
Heres the new HangmanGUI class i made, it doesnt necessarily have to be a different class in the final outcome, but i would prefer it if it can.. Ive made what i can figure out.. Ive commented about what i need to do.
Keep in mind i cant use Applets, only Frame/JFrame
import java.awt.*;
import javax.swing.*;
public class HangmanGUI extends JFrame implements ActionListener
Button newGame = new Button("New Game");
Button entGuess = new Button("Submit Guess");
Button giveUp = new Button("Give Up");
TextField input = new TextField("",1);
Label hangman = new Label("HANGMAN");
JPanel play = new JPanel();
JPanel hang = new Jpanel();
GridLayout playLayout = new GridLayout(2,4);
public HangmanGUI()
play.setLayout(playLayout);
play.add(hangman+"\n");
play.add(newGame);
play.add(giveUp);
play.add(input);
play.add(entGuess);
hang.add(hangman);
getContentPane().add(play);
getContentPane().add(hang);
public void ActionPerformed(ActionEvent act)
Object src = act.getSource();
if (src==newGame)
main(); //Calling main to restart program - will that work?
//if (src==entGuess)
//Need to submit the guess, while input is not empty to Hangman class
//if (src==giveUp)
//Need to go into the losing part of Hangman class
}As you can see i need help with:
a - How to complete the other ifs
b - How to really use the data of my Hangman class in this class and combine the GUI and backend to make a nice GUI Hangman app
c - btw, right now if i try to compile HangmanGUI it highlights the implements ActionListener line and says cannot resolve symbol - class ActionListener..
Any help would be greatly appreciatedThanks for the explanation pete...
Anyways, i started implementing my code within abillconsl's code, and im trying to assign a label to a char array using .toString(); but instead of whats in the char array i get [C@<numbers and digits> ..
Whats wrong?
[code]
import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.*;
import javax.swing.*;
import java.util.Random;
public class HangEmHighGUI extends JFrame implements ActionListener
private Button newGame,
entGuess,
giveUp;
private TextField input;
private Label hangman,
movie;
private JPanel play,
hang;
private GridLayout playLayout;
private FlowLayout labelLayout;
private Container container; // To avoid extra meth calls
String movies[]={"THE/BOURNE/ULTIMATUM","TRANSFORMERS","RUSH HOUR 3","THE INSIDE MAN","THE SIMPSONS MOVIE","THE LORD OF THE RINGS","DIE HARD 4.0"};
Random rand = new Random();
char current[]=(movies[rand.nextInt(movies.length)]).toCharArray(); //Convert a random string from movies array into a char array
char actual[]=new char[current.length]; //Store current state of guessed movie
public HangEmHighGUI()
setUp();
container = this.getContentPane();
play = new JPanel();
hang = new JPanel();
playLayout = new GridLayout(1, 3, 5, 5); // rows, cols, space, space
labelLayout = new FlowLayout(FlowLayout.CENTER);
newGame = new Button("New Game");
entGuess = new Button("Submit Guess");
giveUp = new Button("Give Up");
input = new TextField("",1);
hangman = new Label("HANGMAN");
movie = new Label(actual.toString());
hang.setLayout(labelLayout);
play.setLayout(playLayout);
play.add(newGame);
play.add(giveUp);
play.add(entGuess);
hang.add(hangman);
hang.add(movie);
container.add(hang,BorderLayout.NORTH);
container.add(input,BorderLayout.CENTER);
container.add(play,BorderLayout.SOUTH);
pack();
setVisible(true);
setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent act)
Object src = act.getSource();
if (src==newGame)
main(new String[] {""}); //Calling main to restart program, this does not work without parameters, is there some other way to restart?
if (src==entGuess)
if (input.getText()=="")
setUp();
//if (src==giveUp)
//Need to go into the losing part of Hangman class
public static void main(String args[])
javax.swing.SwingUtilities.invokeLater(new Runnable() {
public void run() {
new HangEmHighGUI();
private void setUp()
for (int i=0;i<actual.length;i++)
if (isVowel(Character.toUpperCase(current)))
actual[i]=current[i];
else if (isSpecialChar(Character.toUpperCase(current[i])))
actual[i]=current[i];
else if (Character.isWhitespace(current[i]))
actual[i]='/';
else
actual[i]='_';
private boolean isVowel(char a)
if (Character.toUpperCase(a)=='A' || Character.toUpperCase(a)=='E' || Character.toUpperCase(a)=='I' || Character.toUpperCase(a)=='O' || Character.toUpperCase(a)=='U')
return true;
else
return false;
private boolean isSpecialChar(char a)
if (Character.isLetter(a))
return false;
else if (Character.isDigit(a))
return true;
else if (Character.isWhitespace(a))
return false;
else
return true;
private boolean isCorrect(char guess,int turnsleft,char current[],char actual[])
int flag=0;
for (int i=0;i<current.length;i++)
if ( Character.toUpperCase(current[i])==Character.toUpperCase(guess) && actual[i]!=guess ) //Check if guess is correct, and make sure it has not already been entered
actual[i]=guess;
flag=1;
else if (Character.toUpperCase(current[i])!=Character.toUpperCase(guess) && i==current.length-1 && flag==0)
return false;
if (flag!=0)
return true;
else
return false;
private boolean hasWon(char actual[],char current[])
char actualspc[]=new char[actual.length];
for (int i=0;i<actual.length;i++)
if (actual[i]=='/')
actualspc[i]=' ';
else
actualspc[i]=actual[i];
for (int i=0;i<actual.length;i++)
if ((Character.toUpperCase(current[i]))==(Character.toUpperCase(actualspc[i])) && i==actual.length-1)
return true;
else if ((Character.toUpperCase(current[i]))==(Character.toUpperCase(actualspc[i])) && i!=actual.length-1)
continue;
else
return false;
return false;
private void print(char arr[])
for (int i=0;i<arr.length;i++)
System.out.print(Character.toUpperCase(arr[i])+" ");
private boolean hasBeenGuessed(char a,StringBuffer guessed)
for (int i=0;i<guessed.length();i++)
if ( Character.toUpperCase(guessed.charAt(i)) == Character.toUpperCase(a))
return true;
return false;
Note that the majority of the code has been taken from my old hangman class, i havent adapted it to the GUI yet, so ignore all of that stuff. -
I'm doing a project in Java where I have to put numbers in a list, then shuffle them. Then I have to access those numbers and create a Bingo card. I've got everything down except for the accessing the numbers part. How exactly do I access integers from an array list? I read online that I should cast the elements in the ArrayList to an int, but I try that and get an incovertible types error message when I try to compile. Here is my code so far:
import java.util.ArrayList;
import java.util.Random;
import java.util.Collections;
* Numbers class -- will generate a list of numbers, shuffle them, and then have a method to return them to the Bingo card.
public class Numbers
private ArrayList bingoB;
int cnt;
String testString;
public Numbers()
bingoB = new ArrayList();
resetNumbers();
public int getNumberB()
int test = (int) bingoB.get(0);
testString = "b-" + test;
return testString;
public void resetNumbers()
for(cnt = 1; cnt <= 15; cnt++)
bingoB.add(new Integer(cnt));
Collections.shuffle(bingoB);I really need help with the casting/accessing integer part, but any other tips about what I've got going on in the int getNumberB method would be helpful as well. Thanks in advance.You don't cast to 'int', you cast to 'Integer'. You put 'Integer' in, so you take 'Integer' out.
To get the 'int' value from an 'Integer', use the "intValue()" method in the Integer class.
testString should be local to getNumberB--it should not be an instance variable. Is getNumberB supposed to return an int or a String? If you want the String, you need:
public String getNumberB() { ...} -
Need help with basic program.....!
I've to write a program that generates a random number, which the user has to try and guess, after each guess they're told whether it's too high or too low etc., I've gotten this far, however, the user has only 10 guesses.... In my program I've used a while loop and the user gets an infinite number of guesses, I know I'm supposed to use a for loop, but can't seem to get it to work properly. Also, when the user guesses the number, the program then has to print out how many guesses it took, and I have no idea how to get it to do this AT ALL!!! I'd really appreciate some help with this, thanks v. much!!!!
I've to write a program that generates a random
number, which the user has to try and guess, after
each guess they're told whether it's too high or too
low etc., I've gotten this far, however, the user has
only 10 guesses.... In my program I've used a while
loop and the user gets an infinite number of guesses,
I know I'm supposed to use a for loop, but can't seem
to get it to work properly. Also, when the user
guesses the number, the program then has to print out
how many guesses it took, and I have no idea how to
get it to do this AT ALL!!! I'd really appreciate some
help with this, thanks v. much!!!!Hey not every book covers every aspect of Java (if you haven't got a book and don't want to buy 1 i recommend an online tutorial) If u want the user to have an infinate number of guesses, use an infinate while loop. Put this in a file called app.java:
import java.applet.Applet;
import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.*;
import javax.swing.*;
public class app extends Applet implements ActionListener
JLabel lbl=new JLabel("Guess a number between 0 and 10:");
JTextField txtfield=new JTextField(20);
JButton button=new JButton("Guess...");
JLabel lbl2=new JLabel();
int randomnumber=Math.round((float)Math.random()*10);
public void init()
add(lbl);
add(txtfield);
add(button);
button.addActionListener(this);
public void actionPerformed (ActionEvent e)
String s=new String("");
s+=randomnumber;
if (e.getSource().equals(button) && txtfield.getText().equals(s))
setBackground(Color.white);
setForeground(Color.black);
lbl2.setText("Got it!");
add(lbl2);
validate();
else
setBackground(Color.white);
setForeground(Color.black);
if (Integer.parseInt(txtfield.getText())>randomnumber)
lbl2.setText("Too High!");
else
lbl2.setText("Too Low!");
add(lbl2);
validate();
Then create a HTML document in the classes folder:
<HTML>
<HEAD>
<TITLE>APPLET</TITLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY>
<HR>
<CENTER>
<APPLET
CODE=app.class
WIDTH=400
HEIGHT=200 >
</APPLET>
</CENTER>
<HR>
</BODY>
</HTML>
It will do what you wish. If you want to have more then 10 numbers to guess, for example 100, do this:
int randomnumber=Math.round((float)Math.random()*100);
Does that answer your question? -
Need help with a simple process with FTP Adapter and File Adapter
I am trying out a simple BPEL process that gets a file in opaque mode from a FTP server using a FTP adapter and writes it to the local file system using a File Adapter. However, the file written is always empty (zero bytes). I then tried out the FTPDebatching sample using the same FTP server JNDI name and this work fine surprisingly. I also verified by looking at the FTP server logs that my process actually does hit the FTP server and seems to list the files based on the filtering condition - but it does not issue any GET or RETR commands to actually get the files. I am suspecting that the problem could be in the Receive, Assign or Invoke activities, but I am not able identify what it is.
I can provide additional info such as the contents of my bpel and wsdl files if needed.
Would appreciate if someone can help me with this at the earliest.
Thanks
Jaypersiandude wrote:
Topic: Need help with if, else, and which statements and loops.
How would I display 60 < temp. <= 85 in java
System.out.println("60 < temp. <= 85 in java");
another question is how do I ask a question like want to try again (y/n) after a output and asking that everytime I type in yes after a output and terminate when saying No.Sun's [basic Java tutorial|http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/]
Sun's [New To Java Center|http://java.sun.com/learning/new2java/index.html].Includes an overview of what Java is, instructions for setting up Java, an intro to programming (that includes links to the above tutorial or to parts of it), quizzes, a list of resources, and info on certification and courses.
[http://javaalmanac.com|http://javaalmanac.com]. A couple dozen code examples that supplement [The Java Developers Almanac|http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0201752808?v=glance].
jGuru. A general Java resource site. Includes FAQs, forums, courses, more.
JavaRanch. To quote the tagline on their homepage: "a friendly place for Java greenhorns." FAQs, forums (moderated, I believe), sample code, all kinds of goodies for newbies. From what I've heard, they live up to the "friendly" claim.
Bruce Eckel's [Thinking in Java|http://mindview.net/Books/DownloadSites] (Available online.)
Joshua Bloch's [Effective Java|http://www.amazon.com/Effective-Java-2nd-Joshua-Bloch/dp/0321356683/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1214349768&sr=8-1]
Bert Bates and Kathy Sierra's [Head First Java|http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0596004656?v=glance].
James Gosling's [The Java Programming Language|http://www.bookpool.com/sm/0321349806]. -
Need some URGENT help with 3 DVD mastering issues PLEASE! :
Hi there,
Firstly, I am running DVD SP 3.0.2 on Mac OS 10.4.7 on a G5 Dual 2 GHz 3Gb Ram plenty of HD space...
I am creating a DVD with: An intro sequence, a main menu, 4 sub menus, and 4 sections with around 12 chapters each.
I am having some big problems, and a pretty stuck. I will lest them separately below, numbered. If you are able to help, please refer clearly to which number you are helping with. Any help is MUCH appreciated! Many thanks!!
1. Each of the 5 menus (1 main, 4 sub) have a background video, and a separate audio track. I added the background videos by simply dragging them to the assests panel, then from there onto the menu editor window. They are created in FCP and are properly encoded. However, when I click the motion button, or use the simulator, the videos do not show up. The music plays, but all i see is plain black.
What is going on?!?!?!
2. I am really struggling with rollover buttons. I have custom created buttons, and I wand them to have a soft red glow around them when hovered over. HOW ON EARTH DO I ACTUALLY DO THIS??
The buttons are in photoshop so can be exported with/without background/glow in any format.
3. Is it possible, once I have got the above rollover working, to have an image to the right hand side of my buttons which changes with the the button rollover. i.e. hover over button 1, see image 1. hover over button 2, image changes to image 2.
PLEASE PLEASE give any help you can, I have a deadline coming up and am quite stumped. Thanks again!!I am still having problems regarding issue Number 1. PLEASE ANYONE HELP?!
Sorry, I'm not sure about the motion menus. I avoid those whenever possible. But you might click on the menu in the storyline tab (whatever it's called -- the hierarchical view with the disc, tracks, slideshows, etc.) and look at the properties and see if there's anything you have to enable specifically for motion. And be sure the motion button is on on the main display/preview area, but it sounds like you already know how that works.
For your information, here is a screen grab of the menu I am trying to create:
http://www.redhavoc.co.uk/stuff/menu.jpg
I think it is obvious that when a button is hovered over, I want it to glow red, and the image to the right will change to match the respective button.
IS THIS GOING TO BE POSSIBLE????
Yes.
First, your menus have to be layered menus. Unfortunately, there's no way to convert non-layered menus to layered menus, so if you already have non-layered, you'll have to just delete them and create new layered menus. The button (and menu item) to create a layered menu should be right by the normal new-menu item.
Next, the graphical work is all in Photoshop.
Side tip: You may already know this, but I found it's best to use 640x480 for the Photoshop document. When I do text and leave it as a text object in the Photoshop file, it resizes poorly in DVDSP. So this ends up being another 720x480 vs. 640x480 square/rectangular pixel conversion thing. DVDSP plays in the 640x480 world, at least as far as the designer can see. So I keep my images at 640x480, and it doesn't have to resize, and everything looks right.
Moving on... Set up your basic background, the part that won't change (or will have other things covering it, like for your square image).
Then put in all the buttons and images you'll be using, each part in a separate layer. This could have fifteen buttons (you have five buttons, and there can be three versions for each -- inactive, selected, and activated versions) and five or six square images (you said one for each button, and you might want a blank default if, say, you want to add a "back" button on the menu and want some blank or default image for the square when they're on the "back" button).
Sometimes people don't bother with a separate "active" button state, but you usually want some visual feedback that they clicked the button. Also, I usually just build the default (unselected) button into the background; that's less hassle later on, and it will just draw the selected or activated buttons over that when the user is on that button.
Line up all your buttons and images. All the square images lined up perfectly on top of each other, all the buttons in the right places (so you'll have three buttons stacked on top of each other in each spot). Give each layer a short but quickly recognizable name, and line them up in a consistent order. (button1-default, button1-selected, button1-active, button1-squarepicture, then button2-default, ... etc.) Photoshop and DVDSP don't care, but it makes it easier for you later.
Note that earlier versions of DVDSP won't show Photoshop layer effects. (They handle layers, just not the effects, like inner glow, outer bezel, etc.) I don't remember when they changed this, but I think it was version 4.something. So if you're using that method to make your buttons glow, you may have to flatten each selected or active button layer, and you may even need to create a dummy blank layer underneath it first to give it something to flatten onto.
Save the file as a standard Photoshop file (.psd). Drag the file onto your DVDSP layered menu and set it as the background.
Now, in DVDSP, create all your buttons. Just drag boxes over/around the button pictures you have. Feel free to make them extra-big; users won't see the actual area you've selected, and bigger areas makes it easier for people to hit them if they're using a mouse on a computer to watch the DVD. You can point the buttons to their targets now if you want, and set the end jumps on the tracks if you want. (I tend to set the end jumps on the tracks so they automatically select the button for the next track.)
Now's the fun part, since it will actually hook everything up and should be easy if your naming layer order were consistent. Click on the layered menu (in that hierarchical view) and look at the properties window. (Sorry I can't remember the technical names for all these windows; I'm doing this all from memory. So feel free to ask more questions if you can't find what I'm talking about.) One of the properties tabs should have a grid of checkboxes with a list of your layers. Make sure the background is checked for all of the states. Then check the layers you want to show for each button state, as well as the corresponding square image to show for each.
Again, I'm doing this from memory, and I can't remember exactly how things are listed in that grid. But I remember it keeps your layers in the same order you put them in the Photoshop file and shows you those names, so it should make it easy to go down the list and check the right boxes.
And another side tip: You can update the Photoshop file, but once you've put it in DVDSP, if you change the layer order, it will screw up the check boxes you checked. It always shows you the layer names correctly, but it keeps the checkboxes in DVDSP simply assigned to the layer number, so the fifth layer will keep the same checkboxes even if you juggle them so some other layer is now the fifth layer. So if you do juggle the layers in Photoshop, go back and fix the checkbox list in DVDSP.
I put a sample Photoshop file based on yours in
http://dan.black.org/layered-menu-sample.psd
It's quick and dirty, but shows the layer layout, and you should be able to drop it on DVDSP to play with. (I also won't leave it there forever, maybe a few weeks, so anybody reading this in a month or more probably will get a 404 for that url.)
Again, doing this from memory, so feel free to ask if anything doesn't work or doesn't make sense.
G4/dual867 Mac OS X (10.4.5) 2GB/0.8TB -
Need help with a simple program (should be simple anyway)
I'm (starting to begin) writing a nice simple program that should be easy however I'm stuck on how to make the "New" button in the file menu clear all the fields. Any help? I'll attach the code below.
====================================================
import java.awt.*;
import java.awt.event.*;
import javax.swing.*;
public class Message extends JFrame implements ActionListener {
public void actionPerformed(ActionEvent evt) {
text1.setText(" ");
text2.setText("RE: ");
text3.setText(" ");
public Message() {
super("Write a Message - by Kieran Hannigan");
setDefaultCloseOperation(JFrame.EXIT_ON_CLOSE);
setSize(370,270);
FlowLayout flo = new FlowLayout(FlowLayout.RIGHT);
setLayout(flo);
//Make the bar
JMenuBar bar = new JMenuBar();
//Make "File" on Menu
JMenu File = new JMenu("File");
JMenuItem f1 = new JMenuItem("New");f1.addActionListener(this);
JMenuItem f2 = new JMenuItem("Open");
JMenuItem f3 = new JMenuItem("Save");
JMenuItem f4 = new JMenuItem("Save As");
JMenuItem f5 = new JMenuItem("Exit");
File.add(f1);
File.add(f2);
File.add(f3);
File.add(f4);
File.add(f5);
bar.add(File);
//Make "Edit" on menu
JMenu Edit = new JMenu("Edit");
JMenuItem e1 = new JMenuItem("Cut");
JMenuItem e2 = new JMenuItem("Paste");
JMenuItem e3 = new JMenuItem("Copy");
JMenuItem e4 = new JMenuItem("Repeat");
JMenuItem e5 = new JMenuItem("Undo");
Edit.add(e5);
Edit.add(e4);
Edit.add(e1);
Edit.add(e3);
Edit.add(e2);
bar.add(Edit);
//Make "View" on menu
JMenu View = new JMenu("View");
JMenuItem v1 = new JMenuItem("Bold");
JMenuItem v2 = new JMenuItem("Italic");
JMenuItem v3 = new JMenuItem("Normal");
JMenuItem v4 = new JMenuItem("Bold-Italic");
View.add(v1);
View.add(v2);
View.add(v3);
View.addSeparator();
View.add(v4);
bar.add(View);
//Make "Help" on menu
JMenu Help = new JMenu("Help");
JMenuItem h1 = new JMenuItem("Help Online");
JMenuItem h2 = new JMenuItem("E-mail Programmer");
Help.add(h1);
Help.add(h2);
bar.add(Help);
setJMenuBar(bar);
//Make Contents of window.
//Make "Subject" text field
JPanel row2 = new JPanel();
JLabel sublabel = new JLabel("Subject:");
row2.add(sublabel);
JTextField text2 = new JTextField("RE:",24);
row2.add(text2);
//Make "To" text field
JPanel row1 = new JPanel();
JLabel tolabel = new JLabel("To:");
row1.add(tolabel);
JTextField text1 = new JTextField(24);
row1.add(text1);
//Make "Message" text area
JPanel row3 = new JPanel();
JLabel Meslabel = new JLabel("Message:");
row3.add(Meslabel);
JTextArea text3 = new JTextArea(6,22);
messagearea.setLineWrap(true);
messagearea.setWrapStyleWord(true);
JScrollPane scroll = new JScrollPane(text3,
JScrollPane.VERTICAL_SCROLLBAR_ALWAYS,
JScrollPane.HORIZONTAL_SCROLLBAR_NEVER);
//SpaceLine
JPanel spaceline = new JPanel();
JLabel spacer = new JLabel(" ");
spaceline.add(spacer);
row3.add(scroll);
add(row1);
add(row2);
add(spaceline);
add(spaceline);
add(row3);
setVisible(true);
public static void main(String[] arguments) {
Message Message = new Message();
}persiandude wrote:
Topic: Need help with if, else, and which statements and loops.
How would I display 60 < temp. <= 85 in java
System.out.println("60 < temp. <= 85 in java");
another question is how do I ask a question like want to try again (y/n) after a output and asking that everytime I type in yes after a output and terminate when saying No.Sun's [basic Java tutorial|http://java.sun.com/docs/books/tutorial/]
Sun's [New To Java Center|http://java.sun.com/learning/new2java/index.html].Includes an overview of what Java is, instructions for setting up Java, an intro to programming (that includes links to the above tutorial or to parts of it), quizzes, a list of resources, and info on certification and courses.
[http://javaalmanac.com|http://javaalmanac.com]. A couple dozen code examples that supplement [The Java Developers Almanac|http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0201752808?v=glance].
jGuru. A general Java resource site. Includes FAQs, forums, courses, more.
JavaRanch. To quote the tagline on their homepage: "a friendly place for Java greenhorns." FAQs, forums (moderated, I believe), sample code, all kinds of goodies for newbies. From what I've heard, they live up to the "friendly" claim.
Bruce Eckel's [Thinking in Java|http://mindview.net/Books/DownloadSites] (Available online.)
Joshua Bloch's [Effective Java|http://www.amazon.com/Effective-Java-2nd-Joshua-Bloch/dp/0321356683/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1214349768&sr=8-1]
Bert Bates and Kathy Sierra's [Head First Java|http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0596004656?v=glance].
James Gosling's [The Java Programming Language|http://www.bookpool.com/sm/0321349806]. -
Really basic Install help needed, please.
Assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Yes, I've searched this whole forum and probably don't know enough to ask the right "search" questions because I haven't found the answers.
Over the past few months, I've been learning Linux as I now plan to switch from Windows to a Linux distro rather than go with a new computer and Windows 7 and the associated problems. I have tried several Linux distros individaully side by side with Windows XP on a partitioned drive.. Most recently I've been using Linux Mint 8 'Helena' and done lots with and to it. Linux Mint 9 'Isadora' was just released, and since upgrading for a non-rolling distro is a nuisance, I thought I'd try a rolling one. After review and recommendations, I thought I'd give Arch Linux a try. Since most of my computer use is music via a Jukebox (14+k files), browsing, email and info seeking, I don't need all the bells and whistles whith which many distros come. I'm not a gamer.
Basic Infor:
PC with 1.4GHz Athlon, 512 Ram, 320 G Hard Drive partitioned equally between Windows XP and Linux (hopefully Arch). High Speed DSL.
What I need are some really really basic instructions on a side by side install of Arch.
SOofar, I've got the clock set, and have partitioned my hard drive into
SDA 1 (my Windows Partition)(160 Gigs
SDA5 1200mb for my swap
SDA6 20 Gigs for the root
SDA7 130 (the rest) Gigs for home
What I need to know is darned near everything else.
Bootability for SDA5-7
How to label (the method for) SDA 5-7
and thereafter a step by step really simple set of install instructions for a side by side installation.
I've searched on this forum as well as via Google, but simple instructions are nowhere to be found. I really have had no trouble installing Mepis, Madriva, Ubuntu, and Linux Mint side by side with my Windows Xp partition and done so for at least 2 of them with manual partitioning rather than the automatic side by side install offered.
With this introduction, can someone point me to a Arch Linux side by side install for Dummies or help me with a walk through??
Or am I in completely over my head and need to just go back to Linux Mint and plan to upgrade every 6-18 months? Or try a different rolling Distro???
Thanks in advance to any and all who can help..
DickWillie,
Were I certain I would be happy with Arch, there would be no problem doing as you suggest. However, looking backover at least 2 decades, our first computer was an IBM with an 8086 chip and 20 whole MB of hard drive. The choice of operating systems was DOS. As we moved onwards and upwards, Windows 95, 98, and XP were Hobson's choice for PC users (our office computer used Unix). Now with more experience and research, a new world of operating systems is available, especially for those of us with older computers which would require major (and expensive) upgrades when possible to move to Windows 7. And as with Windows ME, 2000, and Vista, there is probably potential for significant problems with 7. Utilizing my current ability to have 2 (or more) OS's on my computer affords the opportunity to learn more about them and develop my 'geekiness" as well as to evaluate and selectively choose one which will best meet my needs.
As of now, I have at least 3 problems with abandoing Windows XP completely:
1) I haven't found a Jukebox program for Linux equivalent to J Rivers' Media Jukebox which has seamless track switching, an equalizer, and DSP studio effects,etc. I've used WINE doors and made it run on Linux Mint, but the program will not recognize my CD-ROM drives. I have some 14+k music files and my computer jukebox runs through my home sound system.
2) I've some 600+ movies indexed on Movie Organizer (movieorganizer.org) which flat out won't run on the Linux distro's I've tried. Re-entering those 600+ indexed movies to another program will be a bear. So far, no one of my local sources or on the other various Linux forums has a solution. WINE doors won't do it as it needs MDAC.
3) For all its frailties and faults, I'm reasonably literate with Windows XP. Linux OS's are still, quite obviously, relatively unfamiliar to me (3 mos experience).. So until I'm much more conversant with Linux, better the devil I know.
I have installed and used both the Linux Mint 8 Fluxbox and KDE editions on more than one computer so it's not a question of my being shy. BTW, I'm a retired internist, and our speciality is known for being really nitpicky, detail oriented, and investigational, and I'm sure it shows.
Again, thanks to all for the suggestions and comments. I'll keep in touch.
Dick -
Help with Javascript/Calculations
Hello,
Have a building use policy for school.
Need help with checkboxes and default values. I can get javascript/math to work when I click check box.
Someone wants to rent a room they check the rentRoom checkbox. Then the enter how many rooms 1,2,3 etc.. The value for the rentRoom checkbox is $25.
I can get it when the checkbox for rentRoom is selected the rentRoom.Total computes correctly. However, what I want is when the form opens up a default value of $0.00 to be in there. I also want if someone goes back and unchecks the rentRoom checkbox the value goes back to $0.00 not just blank. Right now I am getting the error the value entered does not match the value of the field. That is if I put the default value in options. Basically, I can't seem to figure out the javascript code to get this to work.
Am I asking for too much, can someone guide me to javascript to help me out.
I have tried if/then statements and switch statements. I just can't figure out how to get it to for lack of better a word - toggle back and forth.
If this is not possible please tell me. If it is too complicated tell me. I am not using livecycle for this as we had a word document and I just used the find form fields. I am also using Adobe Acrobat 8 Professional.
ThanksHello,
Thanks that looks good. I am still missing something but the calc doesn't work when I put in my variables. I will work with it more but nothing happens.
The one thing is I have the default value of the checkbox as 15 so don't know if that messes it up.
Right now I get the default value of $0.00 all the time. When I click on the check box on/off it doesn't do the calcs.
sorry, any more input, what am i missing??
I also changed the syntax error that was posted on your origianl post. You had == 'Off" I changed that to 'Off' -
Need help with a currently "in-use" form we want to switch to Adobes hosting service
Hi, I am in desperate need of help with some issues concerning several forms which we currently use a paid third party (not Adobe) to host and "re-distribute through email"...Somehow I got charged $14.95 for YOUR service, (signed up for a trial, but never used it)..and now I am paying for a year of use of the similar service which Adobe is in control of. I might want to port my form distribution through Adobe in the hopes of reducing the errors, problems and hassles my customers are experiencing when some of them push our "submit button". (and I guess I am familiar with these somewhat from reading what IS available in here, and I also know that, Adobe is working to alleviate some of these " submit" issues, so let's don't start by going backwards, here) I need solutions now for my issues or I can leave it as is, If Adobe's solution will be no better for my end users...
We used FormsCentral to code these forms and it works for the most part (if the end-user can co-operate, and thats iffy, sometimes), but I need help with how to make it go through your servers (and not the third party folks we use now), Not being cruel or racist here, but your over the phone "support techs" are about horrible & I cannot understand them or work with any of them, so I would definitely need someone who speaks English and can understand the nuances of programming these forms, to please contact me back. (Sorry, but both those attributes will be required to be able to help me, so, no "newbie-interns" or first week trainees are gonna cut it).... If you have anyone who fits the bill on those items and would be willing to help us, please contact me back at your earliest convenience. If we have to communicate here, I will do that & I can submit whatever we need to & to whoever we need to.
I need to get this right and working for the majority of my users and on any platform and OS.
You may certainly call me to talk about this, and I have given my number numerous times to your (expletive deleted) time wasting - recording message thingy. So, If it's not available look it up under [email protected]
(and you will probably get right to me, unlike my and I'm sure most other folks', "Adobe phone-in experiences")
Thank You,
Michael Corman
VinylCouture
Phenix City, Alabama 36869Well, thanks for writing back...just so you know...I started using Adobe products in 1987, ...yeah...back then...like Illustrator 1 & 9" B&W Macs ...John Warnock's Helvetica's....stuff like that...8.5 x 11 LaserWriters...all that good stuff...I still have some of it working on a mac...much of it was stuff I bought. some stuff I did not...I'm not a big fan of this "cloud" thing Adobe has foisted upon the creatives of the world...which I'm sure you can tell...but the functionality and usefulness of your software can not be disputed, so feel free to do whatever we will continue to pay for, ...I am very impressed with CC PS on the 64 bit PC and perhaps I will end up paying you the stipend that you demand for the other services.
So I guess that brings us to our problem.. a few years back and at the height of the recession and near bankruptcy myself, I was damn lucky and hit on something and began a small arts and crafts supply service to sell my products online to a very "niche market" ...I had a unique product and still sell that product (plus others) online...My website is www.vinylcouture.com...Strange? Yes...but there is a market it seems, for everything now, and this is the market I service...Catagorically, these are 99%+ women that use these "adhesive, sticky backed vinyl products" to make different "craft items" that are just way too various and numerous to go into... generally older women, women who are computer illiterate for the most part...and all this is irrelevant to my problem, but I want you to have every bit of background on this and especially the demographic we are dealing with, so we can get right to the meat of the problem.
OK...So about two years ago, I decided to offer a "plain sheet" product of a plain colored "stick back" vinyl... it is available in multiple quantities of packs ( like 5 pieces, 10 pieces, 15 pieces, in a packi & so on)...and if you are still on my site.. go to any "GO RIGHT TO OUR ORDER PAGE" button, scroll down a little...and then to the "PLAIN VINYL" section...you will see the Weebly website order process.) You can back out from here, I think,..but, anyway this product is available in 63 colors + or - a few. So then the problem is, how do they select their individual colors within that (whatever) pack?... .
So my initial idea was to enable a "selection form" for these "colors" that would be transmitted to me via email as 'part" of the "order process".. We tried getting our customers to submit a " a list" ( something my competitiors still do, lol, poor bastards)......but that..is just unbelievable..I can't even begin to tell you what a freakin' nightmare that was...these people cannot even count to 10, much less any higher... figuring out what colors to list and send me... well, lets just say, it wasn't working......I had to figure out a better way...Something had to be done.
So after thinking this all out, and yeah...due to my total ignorance, i figured that we could make a form with Live Cycle Designer (Now Forms Central)...(back then something that was bundled with Adobe Acrobat Pro), I believe, and thats what this thing was authored in... and it would be all good...LOL!
Well not so simple...as you well know, Adobe Acrobat would NOT LET YOU EMAIL anything from itself.....it just wouldn't work (and I know why, and all that hooey), but not being one to take NO for answer,.I started looking for a way to make my little gizmo work.. So I found this company that said they can "hijack" (re-direct actually) the request to email, bypass the wah-wah, and re-transmit it to the proper parties.....for less than $100 a year, I think...its called http://pdf-fillableforms.com/.
A nice gentleman named Joseph Silva helped us program the thing to go to his servers and back out. Please dont hassle them...I need them...for now..it basically does work...try it...you should get back a copy of the form that you filled out...good luck however, if you're on MAC OSX or similar...
I have included a copy of both of our forms (and feel free to fill it out and play with it)...just put test somewhere on it...(and you must include YOUR email or it will balk)..they are supposed to be mostly identical, except one seems to be twice as large....generating a 1.7 meg file upon submission, while the other one only generates a 600K file or so...thats another issue for another day or maybe you can advise on that also...
OK so far so good......In our shop, once Grandma buys a 10 pack (or whatever), Only then she gets to the link on her receipt page ro the relevant "selection form" ,(this prevents "Filling and Sending" with "no order" and "no payment", another early problem we had)... which they can click on and it will usually download and open up on their device if all goes well...Then our little form is supposed to be fillable and is supposed to ADD UP all the quantities, so grandma knows how many she is buying and so forth right on the fly, and even while she changes her mind..., and IT'S LARGE so grandma can see it, and then it TOTALS it all up for them, ( cause remember, they can NOT add).., except there is a programming bug (mouse-click should be a mouse-up probably or something..) which makes you click in the blank spaces to get to a correct TOTAL...about 70-80% of our customers can enable all these features and usually the process completes without problems for them especially on PC's running Windows OS and Acrobat Reader X or XI...at least for most... Unfortunately it is still not the "seamless process" I would like or had envisioned for the other folks out there that do have trouble using our form.... Many folks report to us the following issues that we know of. First of all it takes too much time to load up...We know its HUGE...is there anyway that you can see, to streamline this thing? I would love for it to be more compact...this really helps on the phones and pads as I'm sure you well know.
Some just tell us,"it WON'T work"....I believe this is because they are totally out of it and dont even have Adobe Reader on their machine, & don't know how to get it ( yes, we provide the links).....or it's some ancient version....no one can stop this one...
It almost always generates some kind ( at least one time) of "error message" which we do warn them about..., telling one, basically that "Acrobat doesnt even like this happening at all, and it could be detrimental to ones computer files", blah-blah...(this freaks grandma out really bad)...& usually they end up not even trying to send it... and then I get calls that even you wouldn't believe...& If they DO nut up and push the Red "Submit Form" button, it will usually send the thing to us (and also back to them at the "required email address" they furnished on the form, thats what the folks at the "fillable forms place" do) so, if it's performing it's functions, why it is having to complain?. What are we doing wrong?....and how can I fix it?...Will re-compiling it or saving it as a newer version of "FormsCentral" correct any of these problems ?
Ok, so that should keep you busy for a minute and we can start out with those problems...but the next thing is, how can I take advantage of YOUR re-direct & hosting services?, And will it get rid of the error messages, and the slowness, and the iOS incompatibilities ? (amazingly, the last iOS Reader version worked almost OK.. but the newest version doesnt seem to work with my form on my iphone4) If it will enable any version of the iOS to send my form correctly and more transparently, then it might be worth the money...$14.95 a MONTH you say. hmmmmm...Better be good.
Another problem is, that I really don't need 5000 forms a month submitted. I think its like 70-100 or less....Got any plans for that? Maybe I'm just not BIG ENOUGH to use Adobe's services, however in this case, I really don't care whose I do use as long as the product works most correctly for my customers as well as us. Like I said, If I'm doing the best I can, I won't change anything, and still use the other third party, If Adobe has a better solution, then i'm all for that as well. In the meantime, Thanks for any help you can provide on this...
Michael Corman
VinylCouture.com
(706) 326-7911 -
Help with encapsulation and a specific case of design
Hello all. I have been playing with Java (my first real language and first OOP language) for a couple months now. Right now I am trying to write my first real application, but I want to design it right and I am smashing my head against the wall with my data structure, specifically with encapsulation.
I go into detail about my app below, but it gets long so for those who don't want to read that far, let me just put these two questions up front:
1) How do principles of encapsulation change when members are complex objects rather than primitives? If the member objects themselves have only primitive members and show good encapsulation, does it make sense to pass a reference to them? Or does good encapsulation demand that I deep-clone all the way to the bottom of my data structure and pass only cloned objects through my top level accessors? Does the analysis change when the structure gets three or four levels deep? Don't DOM structures built of walkable nodes violate basic principles of encapsulation?
2) "Encapsulation" is sometimes used to mean no public members, othertimes to mean no public members AND no setter methods. The reasons for the first are obvious, but why go to the extreme of the latter? More importantly HOW do you go to the extreme of the latter? Would an "updatePrices" method that updates encapsulated member prices based on calculations, taking a single argument of say the time of year be considered a "setter" method that violates the stricter vision of encapsulation?
Even help with just those two questions would be great. For the masochistic, on to my app... The present code is at
http://www.immortalcoil.org/drake/Code.zip
The most basic form of the application is statistics driven flash card software for Japanese Kanji (Chinese characters). For those who do not know, these are ideographic characters that represent concepts rather than sounds. There are a few thousand. In abstract terms, my data structure needs to represent the following.
- There are a bunch of kanji.
Each kanji is defined by:
- a single character (the kanji itself); and
- multiple readings which fall into two categories of "on" and "kun".
Each reading is defined by:
- A string of hiragana or katakana (Japanese phoenetic characters); and
- Statistics that I keep to represent knowledge of that reading/kanji pair.Ideally the structure should be extensible. Later I might want to add statistics associated with the character itself rather than individual readings, for example. Right now I am thinking of building a data structure like so:
- A Vector that holds:
- custom KanjiEntry objects that each hold
- a kanji in a primitive char value; and
- two (on, kun) arrays or Vectors of custom Reading objects that hold
- the reading in a String; and
- statistics of some sort, probably in primitive valuesFirst of all, is this approach sensible in the rough outlines?
Now, I need to be able to do the obvious things... save to and load from file, generate tables and views, and edit values. The quesiton of editting values raises the questions I identified above as (1) and (2). Say I want to pull up a reading, quiz the user on it, and update its statistics based on whether the user got it right or wrong. I could do all this through the KanjiEntry object with a setter method that takes a zillion arguments like:
theKanjiEntry.setStatistic(
"on", // which set of readings
2, // which element in that array or Vector
"score", // which statistic
98); // the valueOr I could pass a clone of the Reading object out, work with that, then tell the KanjiEntry to replace the original with my modified clone.
My instincts balk at the first approach, and a little at the second. Doesn't it make more sense to work with a reference to the Reading object? Or is that bad encapsulation?
A second point. When running flash cards, I do not care about the subtlties of the structure, like whether a reading is an on or a kun (although this is important when browsing a table representing the entire structure). All I really care about is kanij/reading pairings. And I should be able to quickly poll the Reading objects to see which ones need quizzing the most, based on their statistics. I was thinking of making a nice neat Hashtable with the keys being the kanji characters in Strings (not the KanjiEntry objects) and the values being the Reading objects. The result would be two indeces to the Reading objects... the basic structure and my ad hoc hashtable for runninq quizzes. Then I would just make sure that they stay in sync in terms of the higher level structure (like if a whole new KanjiEntry got added). Is this bad form, or even downright dangerous?
Apart from good form, the other consideration bouncing around in my head is that if I get all crazy with deep cloning and filling the bottom level guys with instance methods then this puppy is going to get bloated or lag when there are several thousand kanji in memory at once.
Any help would be appreciated.
DrakeUsually by better design. Move methods that use the
getters inside the class that actually has the data....
As a basic rule of thumb:
The one who has the data is the one using it. If
another class needs that data, wonder what for and
consider moving that operation away from that class.
Or move from pull to push: instead of A getting
something from B, have B give it to A as a method
call argument.Thanks for the response. I think I see what you are saying.. in my case it is something like this.
Solution 1 (disfavored):
public class kanjiDrill{ // a chunk of Swing GUI or something
public void runDrill(Vector kanjiEntries){
KanjiEntry currentKanjiEntry = kanjiEntries.elementAt(0); // except really I will pick one randomly
char theKanji = currentKanjiEntry.getKanji();
String theReading = currentKanjiEntry.getReading();
// build and show a flashcard based on theKanji and theReading
// use a setter to change currentKanji's data based on whether the user answers correctly;
}Solution 2 (favored):
public class kanjiDrill{ // a chunk of Swing GUI or something
public void runDrill(Vector kanjiEntries){
KanjiEntry currentKanjiEntry = kanjiEntries.elementAt(0); // except really I will pick one randomly
currentKanji.buildAndShowFlashcard(); // method includes updating stats
}I can definitely see the advantages to this, but two potential reasons to think hard about it occur to me right away. First, if this process is carried out to a sufficient extreme the objects that hold my data end up sucking in all the functionality of my program and my objects stop resembling natural concepts.
In your shopping example, say you want to generate price tags for the items. The price tags can be generated with ONLY the raw price, because we do not want the VAT on them. They are simple GIF graphics that have the price printed on a an irregular polygon. Should all that graphics generating code really go into the item objects, or should we just get the price out of the object with a simple getter method and then make the tags?
My second concern is that the more instance methods I put into my bottom level data objects the bigger they get, and I intend to have thousands of these things in memory. Is there a balance to strike at some point?
It's not really a setter. Outsiders are not setting
the items price - it's rather updating its own price
given an argument. This is exactly how it should be,
see my above point. A breach of encapsulation would
be: another object gets the item price, re-calculates
it using a date it knows, and sets the price again.
You can see yourself that pushing the date into the
item's method is much beter than breaching
encapsulation and getting and setting the price.So the point is not "don't allow access to the members" (which after all you are still doing, albeit less directly) so much as "make sure that any functionality implicated in working with the members is handled within the object," right? Take your shopping example. Say we live in a country where there is no VAT and the app will never be used internationally. Then we would resort to a simple setter/getter scheme, right? Or is the answer that if the object really is pure data are almost so, then it should be turned into a standard java.util collection instead of a custom class?
Thanks for the help.
Drake -
Help with getting a better understanding on how APEX submits its pages
Hi,
I have implemented jquery with my app and have just applied the jquery UI plugins.
I have the jquery UI dialog function working which gives the users some options. Now as an example, I have a cancel and a continue button. If the user clicks cancel it simply stops the page from submitting. Which works perfectly however, I cannot get the continue button to carry on with the request.
I gather that I will need to determine what the href was of the link/button that was clicked before the dialog box appears.
I know Apex uses a javascript function call doSumit() which simply submits the page but what does it use for other href like links to other pages?The problem is that you're taking a camcorder format that Premiere Elements is able to work with and converting it to a format that it can NOT work with.
That Canon camcorder produces AVCHD video. You should shoot any video you want to edit in Premiere Elements only in MXP or FXP mode. Then, when you're ready to edit the video in Premiere Elements, you should set up a project for AVCHD 1920x1080 stereo. (Unless you're shooting in 5.1 audio. This cam shoots in a number of formats.)
DO NOT CONVERT YOUR VIDEO BEFORE YOU PUT IT IN PREMIERE ELEMENTS.
You can then use these specs to output high-quality video for YouTube.
http://forums.adobe.com/thread/623549?tstart=0
If you need some basic help with the program, be sure to check out my free 8-part Basic Training tutorial series at Premiere Elements support site Muvipix.com.
http://forums.adobe.com/thread/537685?tstart=0
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