Abstract: A system for a live applet or application development environment includes software that cooperatively promotes and permits immediate socialization of new components with existing components as the new components are instantiated or dropped onto the development desktop. This is achieved by registering a new component being instantiated with the development environment's kernel. Registration, in turn, invokes an initialization method derived from the class template that yielded the new component. The initialization method appropriately personalizes the new component when it executes its associated logic. The initialization method provide an editor for the new component if its properties are to be made editable. The software environment, its kernel, templates, components, editor and methods are preferably programmed in the Java programming language or a Java compatible language.

Abstract: Method, system and article of manufacture for creating hierarchical folder components for use with in holding other object oriented based components, including other folder components, and component assemblies. Each hierarchical folder is provided with an editor that pops up upon its instantiation and permits a user to edit the folder component name as well as the number and type of ports assigned to the folder component.