Developing Web Pages

Besides offering an integrated, visual environment for developing the next generation of server-based Web applications and data-driven Web sites, Visual InterDev 6 provides integrated tools for developing Web pages, including those with client-side scripting, ActiveX controls, and Java applets.

ActiveX Controls and Java Applets

Visual InterDev includes integrated support for adding ActiveX controls, Java applets, and Netscape plug-ins to Web pages. When working with ActiveX controls, you are presented with a visual representation of the control that lets you visually modify the component to fit your needs. A visual property table, similar to the Visual Basic property table, lets you easily modify a component's properties without ever needing to see or work with source code.

The resulting property pages automatically generate all the HTML syntax (based on the World Wide Web Consortium's, or W3C's, industry standard <OBJECT> tag) to bring the component into the Web page and execute it. Perhaps most important, the ActiveX controls are displayed in true WYSIWYG fashion directly in the editor, and they can even be dragged, dropped, and sized directly within the page. With over 1000 ActiveX controls currently available and providing a wide range of functionality ranging from multimedia to multipoint conferencing to real-time data feeds, Visual InterDev 6 offers true extensibility.

Visual InterDev's integrated editors also provide support for easily inserting Java applets and Netscape plug-ins into a Web page. You can visually set characteristics such as size and position, and the editor displays the frame for the Java applet or Netscape plug-in within the document.

Client-Side Scripting in HTML Pages

Visual InterDev 6 also includes Script Outline, which provides access to the methods, properties, and events of the objects on the page. Script Outline makes it easy to add interactivity to Web pages, based on actions and events associated with ActiveX controls and the Visual InterDev 6 object model.

WYSIWYG Editor

Visual InterDev 6 includes a WYSIWYG editor. The Design View visual editor (shown as the Design tab in Visual InterDev) is a true WYSIWYG editor, supporting drag-and-drop editing, toolbar and menu functions, in-place editing, and more. Design View is similar to a Visual Basic form, and it allows you to precisely place multiple ActiveX controls by giving you exact control over x, y coordinates and z-ordering (layering) of controls.

The new Design View editor allows you to work with pages in standard HTML or DHTML. You simply flip the switch on an object, and then you can use the DHTML positioning features to locate the object any place on a page. You can also type directly on a page and within controls and tables, and work directly with images. Figure 1-2, shows an ASP Web page in Design View.

The Visual InterDev 6 IDE offers the following editing features:

• Toolbox control customization You can right-click the Toolbox to add and delete individual controls from third-party vendors.
• Toolbox custom tabs You can add new Toolbox tabs by using the Toolbox popup menu.
• Toolbox object templates You can drag objects from the form back to the Toolbox, creating an object template. This template captures all the properties that you set, and it can be used to easily incorporate objects with custom properties into new pages. Groups of controls can also be used as object templates in this manner.
• Multiple level undo/redo You can easily undo most edit operations.
• Control alignment/spacing/sizing You can automatically align, size, and space controls for easier layout.
• Control drag-and-drop You can position controls exactly with drag-and-drop editing. Also, you can drag controls from one page to another.
• Control layering (z-ordering) You can set object layering by right-clicking any control.
• HTML Outline The HTML Outline displays the HTML on a page and allows you to navigate to any point in the editor.