NetBeans 5.5 released

Sun together with NetBeans today released NetBeans 5.5 Integrated Development Environment (IDE), the first and only freely available IDE to provide comprehensive support for Java EE 5. NetBeans 5.5 -- which runs only on Microsoft Windows systems -- features Java Persistence API and JAX WS 2.0 productivity tools, Subversion support, and enhancements to the NetBeans GUI Builder formerly known as Project Matisse. The latest revision ensures the common look and feel of applications post-deployment across Mac OS X, Solaris, Linux, and Windows systems. The application also provides support for Java Platform Standard Edition (Java SE), Java Platform Enterprise Edition (Java EE), and Java Platform Micro Edition (Java ME). Sun today also announced five value-added packs for NetBeans 5.5 which include NetBeans Enterprise Pack, NetBeans Mobility Pack, NetBeans Profiler 5.5 Pack, a technology preview of NetBeans Visual Web Pack, and NetBeans C/C++ Pack (beta). NetBeans 5.5 is available for free as a digital download, and requires Java SE JDK 5 or 6.

NetBeans Enterprise Pack adds to the NetBeans IDE all the tools needed for writing, testing, securing and debugging service-oriented architecture (SOA) applications using XML, BPEL, and Java Web services. NetBeans Mobility Pack 5.5 introduces support for JSR-226, allowing developers to utilize Scalable Vector Graphics in Java ME applications alongside the ability to create and run Java ME Unit tests with the IDE and integrated emulators. NetBeans Profiler 5.5 adds support for several new runtime environments and features that make profiling Enterprise Java Beans (EJBs) easier, while NetBeans Visual Web Pack (technology preview) allows developers to visually and easily develop standards-based web applications.

NetBeans Visual Web Pack offers a visual-design time environment and support for Ajax-enabled JavaServer Faces components. NetBeans C/C++ Pack (beta) provides support for C/C++ application development in the NetBeans IDE. C/C++ developers can use the NetBeans IDE, in conjunction with their specified set of compilers and tools, to build native applications.

"The release of NetBeans 5.5 IDE and the value-added packs is a great example of the tremendous momentum Sun is experiencing with our open source initiative," said Laurie Tolson, vice president of Java Developer Products and Programs at Sun. "The NetBeans community of active users has increased by a factor of six during the past 2 years -- and we expect that momentum to continue as NetBeans 5.5 delivers the tools developers require for enhanced productivity in the creation of software."

by MacNN Staff