The Jakarta Commons BeanUtils Component

1. INTRODUCTION

The BeanUtils Component contains a set of Java classes that provide static utility methods useful in manipulating Java classes that conform to the JavaBeans Specification naming patterns for bean properties in a dynamic fashion. The following classes are included:

• BeanUtils - Higher level getters and setters that deal with automatic conversion of String-represented property values to the corresponding data types of the underlying property setters (and vice versa), using the capabilities of the ConvertUtils and PropertyUtils classes.
• ConvertUtils - Utility methods to convert String arguments to native Java types (and vice versa)
.
• PropertyUtils - Low level getters and setters for bean properties that perform no type conversions at all.

An innovative and unique feature of this component is the syntax for accessing nested and indexed bean properties. See the Javadocs (TODO: link to online docs) on PropertyUtils for more information about this feature.

2. DEPENDENCIES

The BeanUtils component is dependent upon the following external components for development and use:

• Java Development Kit (Version 1.2 or later)
• Collections Classes from the Jakarta Commons Subproject
• JUnit Testing Framework (Version 3.7 or later) - for unit tests only, not required for deployment

3. RELEASE INFO

Current Release: Version 1.0

Planned Next Release: TBD. See the Action Items list for tasks that need to be completed prior to this release.

4. COMMITTERS

The following individuals are the primary developers and maintainers of this component. Developers who plan to use BeanUtils in their own projects are encouraged to collaborate on the future development of this component to ensure that it continues to meet a variety of needs.

• Craig McClanahan
• Geir Magnusson Jr.

5. ACTION ITEMS

The following action items need to be completed prior to a Version 1.0 release of this component: