Java Noobs Question... Bout IDE and NetBeans

[Pennywise]

I'm new to this forum as well as Java Programming. Some of the questions I'm gonna ask might sound ridiculous so try to keep the laughing to a minimum. THank you.

What's the best IDE around? Suitable for newbies like me?
Netbeans?
JCreator?
JBuilder?
CodeGuide?

I've download Netbeans but I really dont know how do I start. Any Netbeans professional here? Kindly advise. THank you.

[JCScoobyRS]

The top two, IMO, are:

NetBeans
and
Eclipse

Both are highly funded, FREE, open-source IDE for Java. NetBeans is what I use personally and I've used Java for 5 years now. I started out using JBuilder from Borland but I switched once I heard of NetBeans. I use NetBeans and Eclipse and if I were you, I'd go with NetBeans. If you need any help, let me know. Also...you can find Java Tutorial at Java Tutorial . Later, Jeremy

[Dillinger4]

Hey JCScoobyRS does NetBeans or Eclipse allow you to drag and drop components? Ive been using Borlands JBuilder for years now and while coding a GUI is fun sometimes i need to build one in a jiffy. Ive used Sun's own Forte and the load times were horrible.

[JCScoobyRS]

Yes it does. I just upgraded from 3.4.1 to 3.5 and the performance is great. Forte is built on NetBeans, FYI, but there isn't as much going on behind the scenes in NetBeans like there is in Forte. Later, Jeremy

[Dillinger4]

Fantastic

[JCScoobyRS]

If you need anything, let me know. Laters, Jeremy

[Pennywise]

Originally posted by JCScoobyRS
The top two, IMO, are:

NetBeans
and
Eclipse

Both are highly funded, FREE, open-source IDE for Java. NetBeans is what I use personally and I've used Java for 5 years now. I started out using JBuilder from Borland but I switched once I heard of NetBeans. I use NetBeans and Eclipse and if I were you, I'd go with NetBeans. If you need any help, let me know. Also...you can find Java Tutorial at Java Tutorial . Later, Jeremy

Jeremy,
Thanks for your reply. The thread has been there a couple of days and no one helped so I was about to give up on coming back into this forum until you came along - thank you very much.

I saw your tutorial at the website, its very detailed - Thank you. There's one thing I need to ask for your help. HOW DO I USE NETBEANS?

I'm totally new to Netbeans. I do my Java in JCreator Pro but I'd like to use Netbeans now. Can you tell me how do I start with Netbeans? How do I even open a NEW file and save and compile and run???

Also, I'm learning Java cause of my assignment. Its in a hurry cause the due dates nearby now but I find Java interesting now. Maybe it'll be one of those thing I pick up in life and never stop liking. I hope I can learn Java within a week or so.

[JCScoobyRS]

NetBeans is very easy to use once you get the idea of how it creates things. It tries to help you out alot along the way. Could you email me your contact information so I could email you back or even call you, on my penny? As far as your PM goes, NetBeans doesn't alter your code. I have an E-Book on NetBeans that could help you out as well. Email me and we'll go from there. Later, Jeremy

[Pennywise]

Jeremy,
THank you again for coming to my rescue. My email is at [email protected]

If you could send me the eBook for NetBeans, can you send it to [email protected]??? Cause my Yahoo mail cant take files more than 1MB... Also eBook for Netbeans version? 3.5? I'm using 3.5 but I dont even know how to start up the thing...

Also, is it easy to build a GUI on that thing? I've got like 2 weeks to do all that else I'm screwed. I'm sitting here everyday trying to figure out what I should do next...

[JCScoobyRS]

Yes it's easy to build GUI and as far as getting it started...what's up? What you have to do is have a shortcut to "runide.exe" in the bin folder of the NetBeans installation directory. Once you get it started, you will see how easy it is. Keep in touch, Jeremy

[CornedBee]

runidew.exe, the other creates a console window.

[Pennywise]

Thank you guys, I really need all the help I can get... I'm currently reading through all the HELP for NetBeans so I hope I could get started faster... Oh boy...

[JCScoobyRS]

Okay...here's the step-by-step to creating a new class in NetBeans:

Run C:\YourPathToNetBeans\netbeans\bin\runide.exe

Once that is done, you see the GUI for the IDE. Next, select:

File>New...

You will be presented with a list of things that NetBeans can give you template files for. Expand Java Classes and select the class type you want to create. If it's going to be executable, choose "Java Main Class" but if it's going to be a class with no main method, choose "Java Class". It's going to ask you what you want to name your class. Give it a name and click Finish. There are many other things you can configure but this is the quickest way to get to the coding portion of the class. If you'd like to create a GUI form, you'd expand Java GUI Forms from the templates menu (File>New...) and select the proper form. Then, follow the same steps and start adding controls. Does this help? If you need something I didn't cover, let me know. Later, Jeremy

[Pennywise]

Jeremy,

Thanks for your help. I've got a question to ask. Somehow I screwed up my workspace and can you guide me into fixing it back?

You see, in my FILESYSTEM window I have a list of .java files. So everytime I double click on them, they'd appear next to the compiler... So everytime I wanna use them I'd have to RIGHT CLICK and set them DOCK VIEW INTO ---> OUTPUT ---> RIGHT

When I compile, everything's fine but when I run, the HelloWorld - I/O will appear in a small window next to where I usually type all my java codings... Then from there I'll have to RIGHT CLICK and set them DOCK VIEW INTO ---> SOURCE EDITOR ---> RIGHT

Is there anyway I can make the HelloWorld - I/O window permanently appear on the right side of the SOURCE EDITOR so I dont have to adjust them all the time?

Also, is there anyway I can save the style of my workspace? Cause it's very troublesome to move windows here and there all the time...

[JCScoobyRS]

I've never ran into any needs for that so I'm not too sure. I know that you can move windows around and make them appear/disapper by going to the Window tab on the top toolbar and selecting the items in it to do as you'd like. I would joing the NetBeans mailing list to get more detailed answers to questions like the ones you just asked. You can subscribe by sending an email here:

[email protected]

I am a member of that mailing list as well. Subscribe then start asking questions there as they know ALOT about NetBeans. Let me know if you need anything, Jeremy

[Pennywise]

Thanks for the recommendations... =) I'll ask more question when I encounter any difficulties. Thanks!

[JCScoobyRS]

Anytime.

[Pennywise]

Jeremy, below is my codings... I did it in JCreator, compiled and run, everything went smoothly. Then I tried to open it with NetBeans 3.5, compiled OK, run and I got this error:

File Not Found: java.io.FileNotFoundException: CountChar.java (The system cannot find the file specified)


Whats wrong???
==============================================



import java.io.*;
public class CountChar
{
public static void main(String[]args)
{
try
{
FileReader fileReader = new FileReader("CountChar.java");
System.out.println();
System.out.println(countChars (fileReader));
}
catch (FileNotFoundException e)
{
System.out.println("File Not Found: " +e);
}
catch (IOException e)
{
System.out.println("IO Exception: " +e);
}
}
static int countChars(Reader in) throws IOException
{
int count = 0, inChar;
while((inChar = in.read())!=-1)
count++;
return count;
}
}

[JCScoobyRS]

What you have to do is unmount the filesystem and remount it where the files are at that you want to run. It's telling you that the java file you opened is a valid and working java program but the relying class/java, CountChar.java, isn't in the same directory as the mounted file system. The way NetBeans works is you have a filesystem in which it works. If you mount "C:\Dev" and you have a java app in it. You will need to make sure that "C:\Dev" has the files you want to run in it from the IDE. Example. I have a.java and b.java in "C:\Dev". I open a.java but I have "C:" mounted. Since a.java relies on b.java, NetBeans looks in my mounted filesystem(s) to find the b.java file. Since b.java is in "C:\Dev", a.java compiles because there are no coding errors but b.java isn't in the current filesystem and thus, will cause the error. If by chance, this isn't the case, make sure that the files are in the same directory as you did not include any package in your .java file. Let me know, Jeremy

[Pennywise]

I dunno what's wrong. Every .java file of mine IS already in ONE folder but yet I couldnt run the above... Sad...

How about this error... What does it mean??? java.lang.NoSuchMethodError: main
Exception in thread "main"


Here's the code, from some photostated notes my friend passed me...:


public class Counter
{
private static int numOfInstance=0;
private int lower = 0;
private int upper = 99;
private int value = 0;

public Counter(int lower, int upper)
{
this(lower, upper, lower);
}
public Counter(int lower, int upper, int value)
{
this.upper = upper; this.lower = lower; this.value = value; numOfInstance++;
}
public Counter(int value)
{
this.value = value; numOfInstance++;
}
public Counter()
{
numOfInstance++;
}

public static int getNumOfInstance()
{
return numOfInstance;
}
protected void finalize()
{
numOfInstance--;
}
public int getValue()
{
return value;
}
public int getLower()
{
return lower;
}
public int getUpper()
{
return upper;
}
public void setValue(int newValue)
{
value = newValue;
}
public void increment()
{value=(value==upper)?lower: value+1;}
public void decrement()
{value=(value==lower)?upper: value-1;}
public String toString()
{return" " +value;}
public int toInt(){return value;}
}

[JCScoobyRS]

Okay...when you create Java classes, you can have a standard class or one with a main method in it, this makes it executable. You are trying to run a class that has no main method in it. Say....can you email me the java files you are working on and I'll see what I can do? Thanks, Jeremy

Email: [email protected]

[Pennywise]

Thank you for helping me over and over again. You see, I'm actually learning Java for my assignment which is due on the 31/7/03. Which also means I have a little time to learn and come up with a program for a bookstore.

Do you have any links where I can learn about GUI creation, Create new file, save to text file, read from text file??? Roughly like that???

You can skip the part below if you want to, its my assignment question. I have to create a system thats has roughly the same features of what is needed here... That's all... And I have like 14 days or so ONLY... I just need to get the business function running - doesnt have to look all high-tech. =)


----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Andy has newly opened a bookstore, selling at least four different categories of books - IT reference books, magazines, novels and cookery books etc. He intends to expand the variety of books that he sells in the near future.

In order to build better rapport with the customers, Andy is setting up a 'Book Lover's Club' to attract customers to sign up as members to his bookstore. With this 'Book Lover's Club', Andy will be able to collect his customers' particulars, as well as their preferences for books. To become a member, the customer will have to pay a yearly subscription of $10.

Andy also intends to implement a saving scheme for his customers. For customers who are members of his 'Book Lover's Club', they will enjoy a 3% discount when they purchase any items in the bookstore. For members who have spent more than $1000 in a year, they will be deemed as Goldcard member, and they will enjoy 5% discount on any purchases in the bookstore.

Andy would like to implement an information system for keeping track of the sales of each category of books. The system should also indicate the best and worst selling category so that he can react to the market in time. Andy would also like to computerize the enrolment of members into the 'Books Lover's Club'. The system will keep a database of the members' particulars and members' preferences in the books. Furthermore, the system should also upgrade the members to gold card members when they qualify for it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[JCScoobyRS]

I could do it for you.....


Email me and I'll email you a book on Java and how to use it. Laters, Jeremy

[JCScoobyRS]

That's a pretty hefty order for someone that is new to Java. Do you have any idea how you will do it? I have some ideas so let me know. Later, Jeremy

[Pennywise]

I dont think I should trouble you with my work. Thanks for the offer alright? Appreciated... Oh by the way, check your mail... I need those extra books so I can get a quick reference on it...

[JCScoobyRS]

I don't have anything in my mailbox. Resend and put "Java Books" in the Subject. I might have deleted it by accident. I get hundreds of emails a day and sometimes, delete the wrong one. Later, Jeremy

[Pennywise]

Hie, I've sent the mail to your email: [email protected] with the subject: JAVA BOOKS!

[JCScoobyRS]

I got it.

[Pennywise]

WOah, you got me there... You're fast! =) Well, look into my mail and see what you can do. Thank you very much! =)