Portable

• Data types are consistent.
• Java introduces layout managers to handle the different real estate policies of the platforms on which Java can run.
• It is highly recommended to use a layout manager in Java, because they state relative positions and sizes of components.  The alternative is absolute positioning ('start this button at pixel location 100, 40, make it 80 wide and 20 tall').  Not only does absolute positioning often look like crap on platforms other than the ones on which it was designed, but it looks like crap on different resolutions as well.  Trust me on this one, let Java handle the dirty work.
• But, layout managers are tough at first.  Once you learn how to use them well, you'll probably like them a lot more.
• The good news: Forte, our Java development tool, makes layout managers easy.

Created by:  Brandan Jones December 4, 2001