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Oracle has released a major new version of the NetBeans integrated development environment, NetBeans IDE 7.0.
Allowing developers to take advantage of latest developments in Java Platform, Standard Edition (Java SE), NetBeans IDE 7.0 introduces language support for the upcoming JDK 7 release, currently available as a Developer Preview. NetBeans IDE 7.0 is currently the only open source IDE available to provide support for the JDK 7 Developer Preview.
“Oracle continues to enhance the NetBeans platform, providing developers with a feature-rich, open-source IDE for the creation of Java-based mobile, Web and desktop applications,” said Ted Farrell, chief architect and senior vice president of Tools and Middleware at Oracle, in a statement. “NetBeans IDE 7.0 is the industry’s first IDE to support the upcoming JDK 7 release enabling developers to take advantage of the latest developments in Java and to deliver higher quality applications, faster and easier.”
The release also delivers enhanced integration with Oracle WebLogic Server 11g and support for Oracle Database, GlassFish Server Open Source Edition 3.1, and Oracle GlassFish Server 3.1.
“NetBeans comes up often as the most popular Java IDE after Eclipse,” said Al Hilwa, an analyst at IDC. “It captures the segment of no-nonsense Java developers who like a higher level of fit and finish in their IDE. This release shows that Oracle understands its value and continues to invest in it as perhaps the flagship Java IDE. Support for JDK7 will help speed the transition will allow developers to start enjoying the new capabilities before any other IDE.
The NetBeans platform enables developers to rapidly create Web, enterprise, desktop and mobile applications using the Java platform, as well as with PHP, JavaScript and Ajax, and C/C++. NetBeans IDE 7.0 is available for Windows, Mac, Linux and Oracle Solaris and is available in English, Brazilian Portuguese, Japanese, Russian and Chinese.
The latest version of the NetBeans IDE provides enhanced support across key technologies and programming languages, including Java SE, with editor enhancements including code completion and hints. NetBeans 7 also features Maven 3 support, JUnit 4.8.2 integration and additional JUnit improvements, remote HTTP URLs supported for Javadoc in libraries and Java platforms, providing support for “remotely hosted” javadoc, and improved visual customizer for GridBagLayout
The new version of NetBeans also features faster deployment to Oracle WebLogic Server 11g, new server runtime node displaying deployed applications and resources and JavaServer Faces integration with server libraries.
In addition NetBeans 7.0 features streamlined Web development with HTML5 editing support now available in the HTML editor along with improved HTML code validation.
“Support for HTML5 is smart and forward looking and integration with various application lifecycle technologies allows NetBeans to make inroads into ever larger projects and enterprise” Hilwa said. “Support for Glassfish tells me that Glassfish continues to be strategic for Oracle which is another sign of strong commitment to open source technologies. NetBeans dropped support for Ruby and so may not make new friends with Ruby developers, but it has plenty of goodies for PHP and other developers.”
The NetBeans IDE supports GlassFish 3.1 with domain restart and log viewer for remote GlassFish Server instances. The IDE also features enhanced support for the Oracle database including editing and deployment of stored procedures, a simplified connection wizard and guided installation to JDBC driver.