The Apache 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. Works on List objects as well (Not JavaBeans standard).

An innovative and unique feature of this component is the syntax for accessing nested and indexed bean properties. See the Javadocs 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 Apache Commons Subproject
• Logging Classes from the Apache Commons Subproject
• JUnit Testing Framework (Version 3.7 or later) - for unit tests only, not required for deployment

3. RELEASE INFO

Current Release: Version 1.6.1

Planned Next Release: 1.7

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.
• Scott Sanders
• Robert Burrell Donkin
• dIon Gillard
• James Strachan
• Yoav Shapira
• Niall Pemberton (niallp at apache fot org)

5. ACTION ITEMS

The following action items need to be completed prior to the next release of this component: