About NetBeans Modules
See Also
A NetBeans module is a Java archive file which contains Java classes written to interact with the
NetBeans APIs.
A module identifies
itself as a module by an entry in its MANIFEST.MF file.
NetBeans modules are packaged as NBM files (.nbm extension) for non-installer
distribution, usually via the Plugins manager under the Tools menu.
NetBeans modules are written with one of two aims in mind:
- Extending the IDE. You can very easily generate skeleton
code for extending the IDE's functionality with
new features. For example, you can use the skeleton code to write modules that make your favorite cutting-edge
technologies available to the NetBeans IDE. Or, if you miss some functionality in the IDE, you
can add it yourself, by using the skeleton code to
write a module that provides the desired functionality.
- Building a rich-client application. You can use the core of the IDE as a platform on
top of which you develop standalone desktop applications. The core of the IDE is a separate product
called the NetBeans Platform. By basing your application on the NetBeans Platform,
you can save a lot of development time, because you can
reuse the platform's existing features such as menus, toolbars, and windowing systems.
- Even though it is a separate product, there is little need to download the NetBeans Platform separately—you can develop
the rich-client application in the IDE and then exclude the modules that are specific
to the IDE but that are superfluous to your application. Only when
you want to use a different version of the platform than is included in the IDE,
does it make sense to download the NetBeans Platform and install
the modules that define the application into it.
- See Also
- About the NetBeans Platform
- About the NetBeans APIs
- About the System Filesystem
- About XML Layer Files
- Working with Modules
- Module Tasks: Quick Reference
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