Language-Aware Editor 

The editor supports HTML, XHTML, JavaScript, JSP, JSF, CSS, expression language, and assists you with error hints, code completion, namespace completion, and documentation popups. It also recognizes Facelets libraries, composite components, and it can auto-import tags.

Hibernate Framework Support

Hibernate libraries are automatically bundled with your application when you select the Hibernate framework in the New Project wizard. Use the Hibernate Reverse Engineering wizard to create Hibernate Mapping XML files and POJO classes. Then create and edit Hibernate configuration files and mapping files using the New File wizard and visual editor.

Refactoring Java classes and fields (find usages, rename, move) also updates the Hibernate mapping files accordingly. The Editor does not only auto-complete Java classes and fields, but also database table and column names in Hibernate mapping files, and some property names and values in Hibernate configuration files. Use hyperlinks to navigate between configuration and mapping files, as well as between mapping files and referenced Java classes. You can even execute HQL queries right in the IDE (including joins and clauses).
Using Hibernate in a Web Application

Spring Framework Support

You can now select the Spring framework in the New Project Wizard and immediately start out with a skeleton Spring Web MVC application complete with artifacts. Take advantage of refactoring (including XML configuration files), and code completion in the editor. Navigate quickly using hyperlinks and the new Go To Sping Bean dialog. Arrange sets of configuration files into custom groups and get a head-start by using wizards for XML configuration files and Spring Web MVC controllers.

Struts Framework Support

Select the Struts 1.3.9 web framework to create flexible web applications based on standard technologies, such as JSP pages, JavaBeans, resource bundles, and XML. Benefit from code completion for Struts tags, and Struts Javadoc pop-ups in the editor.

Create Struts ActionForm Bean and Action class files, and ctrl-click for hypertext navigation between the struts-config.xml file and the corresponding ActionForm bean class. Use the context menu to easily add Forward, Action, and Exclude entries.

JSF, GWT, Wicket Support

The NetBeans IDE is the first to support the latest Java EE 6 standards, and you can learn more about our JavaServer Faces (JSF) support here. If you are working with the Google Web Toolkit or Wicket frameworks, you easily extend the IDE's capabilities and install the appropriate plugin from the Update Center (from the Tools > Plugins menu).

Database and Data Binding Tools

Customize queries, add joins, specify criteria, preview results (and more) with the Query Editor. Use the Database Explorer to make connections to database servers, view and change database schema, view the data in your tables and views, and execute arbitrary SQL statements against a database. The IDE supports drag-and-drop binding to data services and includes a Data Provider API for binding to other heterogeneous data sources.

Databases

The Database Explorer works with JavaDB (Derby), MySQL and PostgreSQL out of the box. The Explorer supports any relational database for which there is a JDBC driver, including Oracle, IBM DB2, Microsoft SQL Server, PointBase, Sybase, Informix, Cloudscape, InstantDB, Interbase, Firebird, FirstSQL, Mckoi SQL, HSQLDB, Hypersonic SQL, Micrososft Access.

 Java EE and Web Application Learning Trail