PATH Documentation > WebObjects 4.5 > Tools and Techniques

Choosing the Programming Language

WebObjects supports three languages:

Java
Objective-C
WebScript

Java and Objective-C are compiled languages. WebScript, which is based on Objective-C, is a scripted language. A scripted language allows you to make changes to your application without compiling. When you use compiled code, your application runs faster, but you must continually build your application before running it.

Java files have the extension .java , Objective-C files have the extension .m , and WebScript files have the extension .wos .

The language you choose in the Wizard applies to the following files:

The Main component . A component in WebObjects represents a page in your application (or possibly part of a page). When you create your project, Project Builder provides you with an initial component called Main. The component's code file implements the behavior of the component.

The application and session code files. Application code contains variables and methods that affect the entire application. Session code contains variables and methods that affect a single user's session.

If, for example, you specify Java as your primary language, the Wizard will create the files Application.java , Session.java , and Main.java for you. You can mix languages in a project by choosing a different language when you create individual components.