eNode UI Markup Language enables the construction of very sophisticated user interfaces. To use it effectively, you must have at least a basic understanding of XML and Java™ Foundation Classes (JFC), also known as Swing. We assume that you have some experience in designing and building graphical user interfaces.

This documentation is designed for developers who may have little or no prior experience with JFC. For applications that use the Model-View-Controller Pattern, views can typically be designed using just markup, without the need to write any Java code. However, a markup language is not a substitute for Java any more than HTML is a substitute for Applets and JavaScript. If you plan to exploit the high-end features of this language, and write reusable model or controller classes, you must have a good understanding of JFC/Swing.

Familiarity with servlets or Java Server Pages, and at least one application server is required if you plan to generate your content dynamically and serve it over the Web. Familiarity with HTML is not required, and is not assumed.

At a minimum, you will need a simple text editor, and Java Software Development Kit (SDK) version 1.3.1, or later. A good Java IDE is recommended if you plan to do substantial Java development.

To process and view your documents, you will need eNode Object Realizer. However, for evaluating the markup language, you may also use eNode Secure Sandbox — a specialized application used to present Swing-based user interfaces from markup data. Although it includes a rudimentary text editor for your convenience, you should consider getting a professional XML authoring tool for heavy-duty work.