Source : Free On-Line Dictionary of Computing

JavaBeans
     
         A {component architecture} for the {Java}
        programming language, developed initially by {Sun}, but now
        available from several other vendors.  JavaBeans components
        are called "{beans}".
     
        JavaBeans allows developers to create reusable software
        components that can then be assembled together using visual
        application builder tools including {Sybase}'s {PowerJ},
        {Borland}'s {JBuilder}, {IBM}'s {Visual Age for Java},
        {SunSoft}'s {Java Workshop} and {Symantec}'s {Visual Cafe}.
     
        JavaBeans support Introspection (a builder tool can analyze
        how a Bean works), Customisation (developers can customise the
        appearance and behaviour of a Bean), Events (Beans can
        communicate), Properties (developers can customise and program
        with Beans(?)) and Persistence (customised Beans can be stored
        and reused).
     
        {Home (http://www.javasoft.com/beans/)}.
     
        (1997-11-20)