javax.tv.xlet

Interface Xlet

public interface Xlet

This interface allows an application manager to create, initialize, start, pause, and destroy an Xlet. An Xlet is an application or service designed to be run and controlled by an application manager via this lifecycle interface. The lifecycle states allow the application manager to manage the activities of multiple Xlets within a runtime environment selecting which Xlets are active at a given time. The application manager maintains the state of the Xlet and invokes method on the Xlet via the lifecycle methods. The Xlet implements these methods to update its internal activities and resource usage as directed by the application manager. The Xlet can initiate some state changes itself and informs the application manager of those state changes by invoking methods on XletContext.

In order to support interoperability between Xlets and application managers, all Xlet classes must provide a public no-argument constructor.

Note: The methods on this interface are meant to signal state changes. The state change is not considered complete until the state change method has returned. It is intended that these methods return quickly.

See Also:

XletContext

Method Summary

Methods

Modifier and Type	Method and Description
void	destroyXlet(boolean unconditional) Signals the Xlet to terminate and enter the Destroyed state.
void	initXlet(XletContext ctx) Signals the Xlet to initialize itself and enter the Paused state.
void	pauseXlet() Signals the Xlet to stop providing service and enter the Paused state.
void	startXlet() Signals the Xlet to start providing service and enter the Active state.

Method Detail

initXlet

void initXlet(XletContext ctx)
              throws XletStateChangeException

Signals the Xlet to initialize itself and enter the Paused state. The Xlet shall initialize itself in preparation for providing service. It should not hold shared resources but should be prepared to provide service in a reasonable amount of time.

An XletContext is used by the Xlet to access properties associated with its runtime environment. After this method returns successfully, the Xlet is in the Paused state and should be quiescent.

Note: This method shall only be called once.

Parameters:

ctx - The XletContext of this Xlet.

Throws:

XletStateChangeException - If the Xlet cannot be initialized.

See Also:

XletContext

startXlet

void startXlet()
               throws XletStateChangeException

Signals the Xlet to start providing service and enter the Active state. In the Active state the Xlet may hold shared resources. The method will only be called when the Xlet is in the paused state.

Throws:

XletStateChangeException - is thrown if the Xlet cannot start providing service.

pauseXlet

void pauseXlet()

Signals the Xlet to stop providing service and enter the Paused state. In the Paused state the Xlet must stop providing service, and might release all shared resources and become quiescent. This method will only be called called when the Xlet is in the Active state.

destroyXlet

void destroyXlet(boolean unconditional)
                 throws XletStateChangeException

Signals the Xlet to terminate and enter the Destroyed state. In the destroyed state the Xlet must release all resources and save any persistent state. This method may be called from the Loaded, Paused or Active states.

Xlets should perform any operations required before being terminated, such as releasing resources or saving preferences or state.

NOTE: The Xlet can request that it not enter the Destroyed state by throwing an XletStateChangeException. This is only a valid response if the unconditional flag is set to false. If it is true the Xlet is assumed to be in the Destroyed state regardless of how this method terminates. If it is not an unconditional request, the Xlet can signify that it wishes to stay in its current state by throwing the Exception. This request may be honored and the destroyXlet() method called again at a later time.

Parameters:

unconditional - If unconditional is true when this method is called, requests by the Xlet to not enter the destroyed state will be ignored.

Throws:

XletStateChangeException - is thrown if the Xlet wishes to continue to execute (Not enter the Destroyed state). This exception is ignored if unconditional is equal to true.