Lava - The Java GUI Builder

Installation

To run Lava you need :

The Lava distribution is supplied in a compressed format. To install Lava, make a directory to put it in and decompress the archive, using an appropriate program, into the new directory ( If you got the self installing version this part should have been done for you ). Make sure the new Lava zip file included in the CLASSPATH environment variable so that the Java interpreter can find the program files. An example of your CLASSPATH could be : .;c:\jdk\lib\classes.zip;c:\lava\lava.zip. As far as I know, all platforms need you to actually specify the zip file but it may be ok to just add the directory containing the zip file to the CLASSPATH. Also ensure you use a decompression program capable of retaining the long file names used by Java and that you turn on the option to recurse sub directories.

Once this has been accomplished, you can run Lava by changing to the directory containing the program (.class) files and issuing the command java Lava. Any errors of the type Can't find class Lava mean your CLASSPATH isn't set up correctly, ensure the Lava zip file is included and things should work fine.

Included in the release are some batch files that are examples of how to set up Lava so you can run it from anywhere. By setting the LAVAHOME environment variable and including the Lava zip file in your CLASSPATH, you can run Lava from anywhere without changing to the Lava directory. lava.bat is an example of how this can be done. Basically you can set the LAVAHOME variable by adding a switch to the command line. Imagine you had installed Lava to c:\lava. The command java -DLAVAHOME=c:\lava Lava would enable you to run Lava from anywhere as long as c:\lava was in the CLASSPATH and that the JDK is installed correctly. Note the case involved in the command line as this is important, the LAVAHOME part must be in upper case.

There are also a number of command line parameters to speed up Lava operation from the command line. They are bext described by the help screen displayed on running Lava :

Lava 1.3B by Dan Page (lava@hnet.demon.co.uk)
Copyright 1996,1997 All rights reserved

Lava Version    1.3B
LAVAHOME        
OS Name         Windows 95
OS Version      4.0
Java Version    1.1.2
AWT Version     45.3

USAGE : java Lava [option..]

option   -f     Load the file  on startup.
         -c    Automatically make new component of type
                          on startup. ie. bypass dialog.
         -?               Print this help screen.

NB. The JDK version is very important. You must be using the final release of the JDK 1.1, beta versions can not be relied upon to run Lava and JDKs below 1.1 will not run it at all.

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This software is provided by the author "As is" and any express or implied warranties, including, but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose are disclaimed. In no event shall the author or contributors be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, special, exemplary, or consequential damages (including, but not limited to, procurement of substitute goods or services; loss of use, data, or profits; or business interruption) however caused and on any theory of liability, whether in contract, strict liability, or tort (including negligence or otherwise) arising in any way out of the use of this software, even if advised of the possibility of such damage.

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