Developing Java Applications using NetBeans - Which tool for what?
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This has been a most confusing issue for several Java beginners. Let me discuss the features of each of those tools one by one.
Java Studio Creator is build on NetBeans 4.x and includes the latest features of Java such as JSF (Java Server Faces), access to any database, streamlined IDE based application model, and more. When we install the tools, it automatically installs JDK (Java Development Kit), Sun Java System Application Server 8.1 Platform Edition and a sample database. The most amazing point is that the applications can be developed with no knowledge of configuration or deployment.
If you have any external JSF components, you can simply configure them using "drag-and-drop." Apart from all of the above, it also includes Query Editor, CSS Editor, Web Services Development and even the astonishing JSP/EJB. One important issue to keep in mind is that it can be used only for web application (or portlet) development using technologies such as JSP, EJB and so on. Those who are familiar with VS.NET (and have a little background in Java web development) can start working with this IDE almost in no time.
Sun Java Studio Enterprise, on the other hand, is for both enterprise architects and developers. This product is also based on the NetBeans platform. Sun Java Studio Enterprise internally supports UML architecting and design, collaborations among teams of developers, Web Services development, SOA (Service Oriented Architecture) architecting, portlet development, application server, portable database and more and more. In fact, you can develop "anything" with Java using this tool (including applications for the desktop, web, enterprise, mobile devices, and so on). And can you imagine that it is absolutely free!!
The NetBeans Mobility Pack is mainly focused on working with Java technology based (or enabled) mobile devices. It works internally with J2ME (Micro Edition). We can develop mobile based Java applications using this simple (or scaled-down) IDE. It completely solves the problem of creating device-specific code for cases such as specific phone models, phones with only monochrome displays or varying screen sizes, and all other device-specific issues. You can easily integrate third-party emulators and SDKs for a robust testing environment, and for some models of mobile phone, debug directly on the device via Bluetooth technology.
The next one is NetBeans.org (or simply NetBeans IDE). It is an open source IDE and an application platform written in the Java programming language. It has been a very simple and flexible IDE which can be considered a scaled-down version of Sun Java Studio Enterprise. It supports almost all types of application development including console based, desktop, web, and so on. If you need to learn Java with a tool that will give you a kick start, I suggest you try this.
Now that I gave you enough of an explanation about the Java tools, I shall concentrate on working with the NetBeans IDE to program in Java for the rest of the article.
Next: Creating a console application using NetBeans IDE >>
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