NetBeans IDE is much more than a Java IDE:
We designed NetBeans IDE as a modular developer tool for a wide range of development tasks.
The base IDE includes an advanced language-aware editor,
file versioning control, and unique developer collaboration features.
Installer
Select the NetBeans IDE download that provides the features you need.
You can either choose the download with all features and then configure the installation
so that only the features you need actually get installed;
or you choose one of the smaller downloads that has only a subset of the features.
Plugin Manager
You can always use the Plugins Manager from the Tools menu to add,
remove, or update sets of features for Java SE, Java EE, Java ME, Ruby, C/C++, UML, or SOA development,
as well as a wide variety of other features.
Standards-Based Project System
The NetBeans IDE uses industry-standards build technologies
for defining your projects. Java projects use Apache Ant 1.7.0 by default,
but can be configured to use Maven.
C and C++ projects use make, and Ruby projects use rake.
Set up properties and compilation dependencies between your projects,
and use relative library paths to make projects sharable (new in 6.1).
You can build and run your project outside the IDE exactly the same as inside the IDE.
The IDE builds executables and archive files in a number of formats,
including JAR, WAR, NBM, Web Start, and Zip files ready for distribution.
Templates
You can create a free-form projects based on an existing build script,
or start projects from a template. The IDE comes with templates for
Java SE applications, mobile applications, web applications,
enterprise applications, NetBeans plugins, C and C++ applications,
SOA applications, Ruby and Ruby on Rails applications.
Sliding Windows
The IDE's workspace is fully customizable: Customize the actions in the toolbar and
drag and reposition tabs in the IDE window to suit your individual workflow.
Multiple Monitors
Undock any editor tab by dragging and dropping it outside the IDE:
It will turn into an independent window that you can move to a second screen.
To reintegrate the tab into the IDE window, drag and drop it back.
Project Groups
Project groups allow you to define sets of related projects.
This allows you to quickly open and close several grouped projects in one step.
Task List
Use the NetBeans Task List as an organizer to keep track of plans and tasks.
The IDE automatically scans your code and lists
all comments containing words such as "TODO" or "FIXME".
The list automatically includes compile errors
and style warnings (e.g. for unused or duplicate statements)
and proposes fixes for common problems.
You can import and export task lists in standard iCalendar format.
The Task List can also connect to bug databases (e.g. Issuezilla, Bugzilla, java.net, Scarab)
and list issue and enhancement reports for your project.
Filter your task list by type, or by custom keywords.
You can limit task search to individual files, or extend it to whole projects.
Advanced Task List tools are available from the Update Center (Tools > Plugins).
Version Control and Developer Collaboration
Developer Collaboration combined with the integrated file version control
makes the NetBeans IDE a powerful tool for your distributed development team.
Editor
The language-aware editor highlights code syntactically and semantically,
and assists you with smart code-completion and improved navigation.
