A Java Bean is a software component that has been designed to be reusable in a variety of different environments.
A JavaBean is a reusable software component or module for Java that follows certain conventions for its design and functionality. These conventions are outlined by the JavaBeans API, which defines a set of rules and guidelines for creating Java components that are easy to use and integrate into visual development environments.
Key characteristics of a JavaBean include:
- Serializable: JavaBeans should implement the
Serializable
interface to support the ability to save and restore their state. - Properties: JavaBeans expose their properties using getter and setter methods, following a naming convention. For example, a property named
name
would havegetName()
andsetName()
methods. - Events: JavaBeans can generate events and allow other objects to register as listeners to be notified when certain events occur.
- Default Constructor: JavaBeans should have a default, no-argument constructor, which allows them to be easily instantiated.
- Introspection: JavaBeans can be analyzed at runtime through introspection to discover their properties, methods, and events.
- Customization: JavaBeans can be customized visually in development environments that support JavaBeans, such as IDEs (Integrated Development Environments).
An example of a simple JavaBean might be a class representing a person with properties like name, age, and methods for accessing and modifying these properties.
In summary, a JavaBean is a reusable software component in Java that adheres to specific conventions, making it easy to use and integrate into various development environments.