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Our project properties panel is modal yet has an Accept button. Other project types are not modal and have no Accept button (which really doesn't make any sense on a modal dialog). We should remove the Accept button and make the panel non-modal. This will make us compatible with other NetBeans project types. Note: I made this P2 due to the incompatibility, not the overall seriousness of the issue. I feel strongly we need to be as compatible as possible!
The content of our property dialogs is dynamic. The Apply button is used to update the view based on the current set of values. For instance, if you switch project type from Application to Static Library, the nodes in the left panel are updated reflecting the new project type when you click Apply. This user model is copied from Visula Studio. So the apply button certainly has a purpose even in modal mode. Removing the Apply button requires the view to change/update when some of the property values change. This model may work too. Changing the property dialog to be non-modal shouldn't be a big issue. In fact, it was non-model for a long time but I changed it to modal because of some issues. I have forgotten the details.
An Apply buttons has a fairly specific meaning (as defined in most UI guidelines). I'd prefer something different so its meaning isn't confusing to users (as it was to me). Also, how is the user going to know the current function of the button? Why doesn't this happen automatically when the project type is changed? Is the project type the only field which needs this update? If so, can't it be automated (so a change in project type triggers the apply changes feature of the panel)? If not, consider a different button label (Update perhaps?).
as I said, this model including the name of the button is taken straight from Visual Studio and that's the only reason why it is as it is. This doesn't mean we cannot change it to something better or to something that is closer to NetBeans' model. In fact, I think we should. You are not the first suggesting removing the Apply button and updating the view automatically based on the currect selection. It's not only the project type that has this effect. Compiler Selection is another.
*** Issue 96614 has been marked as a duplicate of this issue. ***
will not fix in 5.5.1. downgrading to p3.
*** This issue has been marked as a duplicate of 77935 ***