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| Chapter 23 The java.beans Package |

## 23.6 java.beans.FeatureDescriptor (JDK 1.1)

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The `FeatureDescriptor` class is the base class for `MethodDescriptor` and `PropertyDescriptor`, as well as other classes used by the JavaBeans introspection mechanism. It provides basic information about a feature (method, property, event, etc.) of a bean. Typically, the methods that begin with `get` and `is` are used by application builders or other tools to query the features of a bean. The `set` methods, on the other hand, may be used by bean authors to define information about the bean.

`setName()` specifies the locale-independent, programmatic name of the feature. `setDisplayName()` specifies a localized, human-readable name. `setShortDescription()` specifies a short localized string (about 40 characters) that describes the feature. Both the short description and the localized name default to the value of the programmatic name. `setExpert()` and `setHidden()` allow you to indicate that the feature is for use only by experts, or for use only by the builder tool, and should be hidden from users of the builder. Finally, the `setValue()` method allows you to associate an arbitrary named value with the feature.

    public class FeatureDescriptor extends Object {
        // Public Constructor
                public FeatureDescriptor();
        // Public Instance Methods
                public Enumeration attributeNames();
                public String getDisplayName();
                public String getName();
                public String getShortDescription();
                public Object getValue(String attributeName);
                public boolean isExpert();
                public boolean isHidden();
                public void setDisplayName(String displayName);
                public void setExpert(boolean expert);
                public void setHidden(boolean hidden);
                public void setName(String name);
                public void setShortDescription(String text);
                public void setValue(String attributeName, Object value);
    }

### Extended By:

BeanDescriptor, EventSetDescriptor, MethodDescriptor, ParameterDescriptor, PropertyDescriptor

java.beans.EventSetDescriptor (JDK 1.1) |  | java.beans.IndexedPropertyDescriptor (JDK 1.1)