Try Out Gen-Next of Java IDEs

NetBeans, Eclipse and IntelliJ have released their latest Java IDE versions. We tried them out, and here, we show you what we liked and what we didn't about them

Wednesday, September 05, 2007

For successful development of applications based on object-oriented languages like C++ or Java, a developer needs an IDE that would compliment him in his work. For making the task of developing a complicated application easier, IDEs have been through radical developmental changes and have come a long way from being just a text editor. Now with due respect to the complexity of applications new IDEs come with a lot of new features. Recently NetBeans, Eclipse and IntelliJ IDEA have released milestone versions of their latest Java IDEs. Here, in this article we'll compare the new features in these IDEs.

NetBeans 6.0
We begin with NetBeans, a Sun product, which is popular amongst Java developers. The latest version of this IDE is now ready to give tough competition to Eclipse, its primary competitor in Open Source arena. Besides, having the basic Java IDE, the installation package of NetBeans supports UML, SOA, Web and JEE applications. It also comes bundled with Tomcat and GlassFish runtimes.

Usability and Code assistance
Well, NetBeans has a simple well-defined intuitive interface that allows you to change the configuration of the Panel/Editor as per your ease. The Editor is an improved one, and its code completion feature is faster and logical. When few letters are typed and 'Ctrl + Space' pressed, its code completion feature offers the list of possible choices in relation with the code context. The most common features and functionalities are placed in panels or tabs depending on the kind of project that is being developed. Moreover, the Refactoring code feature of IDE is context aware and can be implemented easily.

Application Development Support Though NetBeans provides support for all Web based applications from JSP/Struts to JEE and EJBs, its prized support is for Swing, thanks to new Matisse GUI designer. Unlike other IDEs, you are not required to download any additional plug-ins for the GUI builder as this IDE comes bundled with a GUI designer. This GUI builder additionally provides Bean binding feature for database applications. You can add internationalized strings to each form, dialog or panel for the Swing components by using the 'Internationalization' feature. Rich Client Platform wizard benefits Swing developers while developing sophisticated applications.

The code completion feature not only provides choices with context related options, but also gives JavaDoc explanation

The NetBeans provide support for development of Web application on Struts 1.2.9 framework. Wizard for a Struts project is an easy one; it automatically creates the web.xml and struts-config.xml, but does not provide any Visual Editor to view page navigation and forwarding. Moreover, the bundled Tomcat simplifies the testing and development process of JSP/Servlet applications.

While comparing the NetBeans 5.5 and 6.0 versions we found that with NetBeans 6.0, the basic Editor support for JavaScript, JSP and CSS have improved and have code completion and debugging feature. However, unlike Eclipse that provides a design view for both JSP and HTML pages, NetBeans still lags behind. It provides a good support for SOA model and in the latest version for Web services a Graphical Editor has been incorporated, which provides interoperability oaf .NET services through Web services Interoperability Technology (WSIT). Moreover, its Project Configuration wizard is elaborative and automatically generates the code for business, home as well as remote interface, along with the stub implementations. With automatic configuration of ejb-jar.xml done by this wizard, a developer is just left with the job of completing the mappings.

MyEclipse plug-in adds Struts support to Eclipse and provides added features like JSP Editor with designer

Features
Profiler is one stand-apart feature of NetBeans 6.0. The profiling functions include CPU, Memory and Thread profiling as well as basic JVM monitoring and hence, enhancing a developer's productivity while solving memory or performance-related issues. Few example applications for the range of categories varying from simple Java Swing application to Web application on Struts or from SOA to Ruby Applications are an added bonus, which provide developers with a template to start upon a new application.

Minuses

NetBeans lacksa community support that Eclipse has and this results in poor support for JBoss, GWT and SWT.Another disadvantage is lack of built-in Hibernate support, but plug-ins are available to achieve that.

Eclipse 3.3 (Europa)
Eclipse, a project initially started by IBM has now a strong open source community backing it. The open source community provides full support in development and maintenance of the IDE and its plug-ins. The new Eclipse slated for release is termed as Europa. Eclipse IDE in its base installation state is no more than an Editor for creating “Welcome to JavaWorld!!” kind of programs. However, one can make this IDE workable for Web applications or GUI based applications, but for that additional plug-ins must be downloaded from the websites of either Eclipse or any other third-party vendor. This is unlike NetBeans that comes as a one-time installation package and provides support for various Java based development frameworks. To make Eclipse workable for JSP support the Web Tools Project(WTP) plug-in has to be installed. Similarly, for GUI development Graphical Editing Framework (GEF) and Eclipse Modeling Framework (EMF) are supposed to be downloaded and integrated with Eclipse.

Page(s)   1  2