[Bluej-discuss] Code Pad: is it working correctly?

[Poul Henriksen]

Barry Brown wrote:
> I am using BlueJ on a Mac (10.4.6). I recently found out about the  
> Code Pad where I can type in Java statements and have them executed.  
>  From what I read in the instructions, the objects I create should  
> appear on the bench. But they don't.
> 
> Here's what I've tried:
> Open the Shapes example project.
> Open the Code Pad.
> Type in something like: Circle c =  new Circle();
> 
> Should I see an object appear in the bench?
> 

As Philippe correctly writes you have to drag the object onto the object 
bench. In the above example you would have to write the following line 
instead:
  new Circle()

That will return a new circle object represented by a little red icon, 
which you can drag onto the object bench. When you drop it on the object 
bench you give it a name which can be used in the code pad.

> Another question: is there a way to "replay" the statements in the  
> Code Pad? My students have been clamoring for a way to record a bunch  
> of actions, similar to the way the JUnit testing recording works.  
> Except in JUnit, all the objects that are creating during the test go  
> away once the test is complete. Is there a way to create a bunch of  
> objects and have them stay on the bench? That would save a lot of  
> time when testing their programs. Doing the Auction project was a  
> real pain because they kept having to create Persons, Auctions, Lots,  
> and Bids over and over.
> 
> If they write a method to create the objects, they won't appear on  
> the bench.
> 
> Is there a good built-in solution?
> 

If you create a test class and right click it you will see two menu items:
1. Object Bench to Test Fixture: this will store the objects currently 
on the object bench into the test class.
2. Test Fixture to Object Bench: this will restore any object to the 
object bench which have been stored in the test class.

Cheers,
Poul Henriksen