Drying beans

I just wondered, are all French beans edible as beans alone? The reason I ask is that I have been lax at picking my beans and they have started to mature in the pods. I ihave three different types growing and would like to harvest the seed  alone if possible, either to dry and store or to eat before they are fully dried?

Same question for broadies as well. The pods are black and full of seeds, do I just boil these up as they are or do I need to soak them?