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From BlueJ to NetBeans. SWC 2.semester. Why change…?. BlueJ is great for introduction to programming Simple interface, few options Graphical interface to classes and objects Some tehnical details are hidden. Why change…?. NetBeans is great for professional programming
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From BlueJ to NetBeans SWC 2.semester
Why change…? • BlueJ is great for introduction to programming • Simple interface, few options • Graphical interface to classes and objects • Some tehnical details are hidden
Why change…? • NetBeans is great for professional programming • Much more functionality • Better editor, debugger,… • Integration to database systems • A full-blown, stand-alone system • …but also more complex!
What is NetBeans? • NetBeans is an open-source project • Originates from SUN Microsystems • www.netbeans.org • Can - of course – be downloaded for free from the website • We use NetBeans 6.9.1 SE (+ Java JDK)
How do I… • …create a new project? • …add a new class? • …edit a class definition? • …write text to the screen? • …get input from the user? • …run a project?
Create a new project - BlueJ Choose Project | New Project…
Create a new project - BlueJ Enter project name, press ”Create”
Create a new project - NetBeans Choose File | New Project…
Create a new project - NetBeans In Categories, choose ”Java” In Projects, choose ”Java Application”
Create a new project - NetBeans Enter project name and location
Create a new project - NetBeans • Why is there a ”Main.java” class…? • All Java programs must contain a method with this signature: public static void main(String[] args) • This was hidden in BlueJ! • Think of Main as a ”System” class • When the program starts, the code in the main(…) method is executed
Add a new class- BlueJ Press ”New Class…” Enter class name
Add a new class- NetBeans Highlight the bankaccount package! Choose New | Java Class
Add a new class- NetBeans Enter class name
Edit a class definition - BlueJ Double-click on the class icon
Edit a class definition - NetBeans Double-click on the class icon
Edit a class definition - NetBeans Note the file panes in NetBeans
Edit a class definition - NetBeans • Why do red lines start to appear in the code, as soon as I start typing…? • The NetBeans editor continuously makes an analysis of the code, even before it is compiled • The editor highlights errors in the code by a waved red line, even before typing has been completed • Helpful…? Annoying…?
Edit a class definition - NetBeans Yes, I know, but I am still typing!!
Edit a class definition - NetBeans See hints by hovering mouse over (!)
Edit a class definition - NetBeans • Why do lists with method names pop up when I type…? • The NetBeans editor supports ”auto-completion”, i.e. it tries to predict what you will type next • Typically when calling a method with ”.” • Helpful, when you get used to it…
Edit a class definition - NetBeans Available methods on the specific object/class Documentation for each method
Writing text to the screen - NetBeans Need this code for actually executing the method
Writing text to the screen - NetBeans Output written to the ”Output window”
Get input from the user - BlueJ Enter parameter value directly
Get input from the user - NetBeans • Not quite as simple to get input from a user in NetBeans • Two options • Use the Scanner class • Use a input dialog class • See chapter 3.6 in Big Java for details
Get input from the user - NetBeans import java.util.Scanner; … Scanner in = new Scanner(System.in); … String name = in.nextLine(); … int balance = in.nextInt(); … double area = in.nextDouble();
Get input from the user - NetBeans import javax.swing.JOptionPane; … String value = JOptionPane.showInputDialog(”Limit”); … int limit = Int.parseInt(value);
Running a project - BlueJ • We cannot as such ”run” a project in BlueJ – what should run..? • We usually create a ”system” class, that has a ”run”-like method • Create a System object • Right-click the object • Call the run method
Running a project - NetBeans Choose Run | Run Main Project
Running a project - NetBeans …or just click the green triangle (or press F6)
Running a project - NetBeans • Running a project always executes the main method in the Main class! • A project is automatically compiled when you save it • No reason to run a project in order to fix syntax errors
Other NetBeans features • A GUI Builder – build a GUI by drag-drop of controls. Code is auto-generated • A much more powerful debugger • More customisable • Easy integration to database systems • We will talk about additional features later on…