NetBeans Platform for Desktop Java Development (DTJ-2601)

Who Can Benefit

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Prerequisites

• Be competent in the Java programming language
• Be interested in creating large applications

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Skills Gained

• Understand the NetBeans Platform problem statements
• Understand the main NetBeans APIs
• Understand the modular architecture of the NetBeans Platform
• Use the NetBeans Runtime Container
• Create the framework of NetBeans Platform applications
• Create NetBeans modules that contribute to NetBeans Platform applications
• Create NetBeans modules that contribute to NetBeans IDE
• Create new windows in a NetBeans Platform application
• Use the NetBeans Platforms filesystem
• Construct loosely coupled NetBeans modules
• Use explorer views as presentation layers on top of nodes
• Know the main extension points of the NetBeans Java editor

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Course Content

Module 1 - Getting Started

• Examine common Swing application problems
• Analyze a simple Java application
• Port the application to the NetBeans Platform
• Use the NetBeans API online documentation

Module 2 - Runtime Container

• Define the basic requirements of NetBeans Platform applications
• Discuss modularity
• Discuss filesystems
• Create an application that only uses the Runtime Container
• Create a new module and add it to the application

Module 3 - NetBeans Modules

• Define what a module is
• Discuss JAR, ZIP, NBM archives
• Create an NBM file
• Discuss communication between modules
• Discuss versioning
• Discuss dependency management
• Let two modules communicate with each other
• Discuss distribution mechanisms

Module 4 - Intermodular Communication

• Discuss the System FileSystem
• Discuss the Lookup concept
• Discuss ServiceLoader in JDK 6
• Create modules that interact via the filesystem
• Create modules that interact via the Lookup
• Discuss the difference between the two approaches

Module 5 - Window System

• Discuss the needs of growing applications
• Discuss why JFrames are not enough
• Create a new application that uses the window system
• Understand all the features of the window system
• Create a new window in the window system
• Tune window system features
• Tune a single TopComponents features

Module 6 - Nodes and Explorer Views

• Discuss the typical problems of Swing models
• Discuss Nodes as generic hierachical hierarchical objects
• Discuss explorer views as extensions to Swing
• Create a new Node
• Create a new explorer view
• Discuss Explorer Managers
• Discuss Palettes
• Show the Node in explorer views
• Show the Node in a Palette

Module 7 - Visual Library

• Define the need for visual widgets
• Discuss what widgets are
• Create a widget
• Discuss all the available widgets
• Generate widgets from a database

Module 8 - Extending the NetBeans Java Editor

• Define the extension points of the Java editor
• Discuss code completion extension
• Discuss hyperlink extension
• Create new code templates
• Create new hints
• Create new
• Understand the structure of the editor

Module 9 - Miscellaneous APIs

• Discuss other APIs in the NetBeans API
• Discuss need for consistent UI appearance
• Create Options Panel extension
• Create Wizard wizard
• Create Dialogs
• Create OutputListener
• Create Menu items, Toolbar buttons, Shortcuts
• Discuss CallbackSystemHandler

Module 10 - Distribution and Updating of Applications and Modules

• Discuss distribution mechanisms
• Define the Plugin Manager
• Add the Plugin Manager to the application
• Create an update update center
• Create NBM files
• Understand NBM files
• Distribute NBM files via update centers

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