When MySQL Comes to Town

Hi all,

Next week we're expecting some very interesting people here in Prague. Some MySQL engineers are coming to our Prague office to discuss further the integration of MySQL into NetBeans IDE. Some engineers from Sun in the U.S are also coming. I'm really looking forward to seeing them and learning more about what is to be done (since there's a good chance I'll be responsible for documenting a lot of it).

It's a pity they didn't come this week instead. The weather outside is gorgeous. Next week the forecast calls for lower temperatures (bot not cold), rain, and thunderstorms.

It suppose it doesn't matter. It doesn't rain in pubs.

Cheers!

--James

Posted by branajam ( May 14 2008, 12:32:30 PM CEST ) Permalink Comments [0]

New Tutorial: Using Hibernate in a Visual Web JSF Application

Hi all,

There's a new tutorial I'd like to tell you about: Using Hibernate in a Visual Web JSF Application. It was written by Dongmei Cao and Ken Ganfield. This tutorial shows you how to use the NetBeans IDE to create and deploy a web application that displays data from a database. The web application uses the Hibernate framework as the persistence layer to persist Java objects to a relational database.

Hibernate is framework that provides tools for object relational mapping (ORM). The tutorial demonstrates how to add support for the Hibernate framework to the IDE and create the necessary Hibernate files to use Hibernate to persist plain old Java objects (POJOs).

After creating the Java objects and configuring the application to use Hibernate, you add Visual Web components to a web page to display the data. To familiarize yourself with using Visual Web components, you may want to read the Getting Started With NetBeans Visual Web JSF Development.

The tutorial is at http://www.netbeans.org/kb/61/web/hibernate-vwp.html.

Great work, Dongmei and Ken!

Cheers!

--James

Posted by branajam ( May 13 2008, 03:43:12 PM CEST ) Permalink Comments [0]

When Inserting Code Fails, Try Encapsulating Fields

Hi all,

I experienced some weird behavior today when I was working on a tutorial for Hibernate. I wanted to generate some getters and setters, so I right-clicked in the Source Editor and chose Insert Code. Nothing happened. I mean nothing. Literally. It should have looked like this:

I tried it again and again. Still nothing. So I did what any other tech writer would do: I tried it another way. I right-clicked again in the Source Editor and choose Refactor > Encapsulate Fields.

Here I was able to get the IDE to generate my getter and setter methods, getting the result I desired.

From what I understand, the problems could have been caused by where the cursor is located in the Source Editor. Since hearing about this, however, I've gone back and tried it again. Sometimes I was able to insert code, other times not.

One great thing about NetBeans is that there is often an alternate way of getting something done.

Cheers!

--James

Posted by branajam ( May 12 2008, 01:40:40 PM CEST ) Permalink Comments [1]

Another Successful JavaOne

Hi all,

Another JavaOne has come and gone. Once again the world was awed at what Java can do. I had the chance to tune into several of the sessions online, however, one thing that really impressed me was Neil Young's presentation. The world "cool" comes nowhere close to describe this. You can find the video online if you google or it, and I suggest watching it. Every once in a while I hear somebody say that Java is dead. Now I know that it lives and thrives. And this is only the beginning.

Java is alive and kicking. Get used to it.

I wish I could have attended JavaOne, and maybe next year I'll be able to. Who knows, maybe I'll see you at JavaOne 2009.

Cheers!

--James

Posted by branajam ( May 11 2008, 12:58:37 PM CEST ) Permalink Comments [0]

Recognition

Hi again,

Have you checked the learning trails lately? You'll find something like you see in the image above. NetBeans Community members making a difference. The image was taken from the platform learning trail at http://www.netbeans.org/kb/trails/platform.html.

Maybe we'll see your name there someday.

See you tommorow.

--James

Posted by branajam ( May 07 2008, 04:33:24 PM CEST ) Permalink Comments [0]

New Resource Matrix

Hi all,

If you've been trying out the updated NetBeans tutorials you will have noticed the new resource matrix near the top of each tutorial. The matrix was created to help user avoid using the incorrect version of NetBeans with the tutorial. This is especially common before a release, when users are trying out dev builds with existing tutorials. The matrix even lists other valuable information such as required databases or application server. The appearance of the matrix may change base of technology, but it is always there to make sure your tutorial experience is a good one.

See you tomorrow.

--James

Posted by branajam ( May 06 2008, 12:15:49 PM CEST ) Permalink Comments [0]

New NetBeans 6.1, GlassFish, & MySQL Bundle

Hi all,

Last night I got back from a week in the country only to be greeted by a stomach bug that kept me up all night. What a welcome! A much better thing to come back to was the new NetBeans 6.1/GlassFish/MySQL bundle you can get at http://download.netbeans.org/netbeans/6.1/mysql_bundle/. Just choose your OS and start the download. It's that easy.

In the near future, look for more MySQL integration in NetBeans IDE, making it easier and easier to use both .

See you tomorrow.

--James

Posted by branajam ( May 05 2008, 09:03:35 AM CEST ) Permalink Comments [1]

NB Community Docs Contribution Coordinator: Varun Nischal

Hi all,

I have a very important news item for the NetBeans Community. As of today, May 1, the NetBeans Community Docs program has a new Contribution Coordinator: Varun Nischal. He replaces Amit Kumar Saha, who, after a very successful tenure as Contribution Coordinator, move into employment at Sun Microsystems India. Amit has left some very big shoes to fill, but I'm confident that Varun has the right feet to fill them.

Varun is a Computer Science undergraduate in his pre-final year and the Campus Sun Club Coordinator. As coordinator, he has organized various events related to NetBeans, meant to increase the adoption of NetBeans IDE on his campus. Also, during the Code For Freedom Contest, Varun pioneered a Mentoring Program for contributing docs to the Community Docs program, conducting a few sessions as well, giving insight into the Community Docs program. Varun also blogs, and NetBeans is a frequent topic for his blog. Varun was recently awarded by Sun Microsystems for being a Significant Contributor to the NetBeans Community during the Code For Freedom Contest.

Varun has been involved in the Community Docs program for a while now. He has made several contributions:

• Resizing Components in GUI Matisse Builder
• Troubleshooting NetBeans Startup
• Getting Started with NetBeans Docs
• Checking out from CVS and Doing Headless Builds

These contributions show just how dedicated Varun is to the NB Community Docs program. Join me in welcoming Varun to his new position. He will be there to help you whenever you need help or have questions. I really look forward to working with Varun, as I'm certain you all are.

Next week, I'll blog more about Varun. See you tomorrow.

--James

Posted by branajam ( May 01 2008, 09:00:00 AM CEST ) Permalink Comments [3]

When Tragedy Strikes

Hi all,

Yesterday I got an email from a Community Contributor. It seems that his blog had been lost. And what a loss it was. The blogger, John Muchow, is an engineer who used to work for NetBeans. His blog, Mac Developer Tips, is a valuable resource for NetBeans and Mac users. If you've looked at the NetBeans Community Docs wiki, you'll have seen John's three contributed screencasts. These were real treasures indeed.

After I heard the bad news, I wrote a blog entry about it. It seems it was a little premature. John was able to salvage a lot of what was lost. Some images may not appear, and some screencasts may not play, but the blog is up and running again.

Please show your support and appreciation for John's Mac Developer Tips. Visit the site and even consider sending an email to John. Let him know how much we appreciate his efforts.

Thanks,

--James

Posted by branajam ( Apr 30 2008, 01:32:25 PM CEST ) Permalink Comments [1]

NetBeans 6.1 Is Here!

Hi all,

It's here! NetBeans 6.1 has arrived.

Just look at today's Community Newsletter.

Thanks a lot for waiting, and I think you'll find that NetBeans 6.1 was worth the wait. There are lots of goodies in this release, my favorite is the MySQL support. This is definitely one huge step forward for the IDE. However, there are many more huge steps coming.

Be sure to check out documentation for this release. There are changes in 6.1 that affect tutorials, and this has been documented in each tutorial. Most tutorials will work for both NetBeans 6.0 and 6.1.

So now it's on to NetBeans 6.5. Have lots of fun with NetBeans, the best IDE there is.

See you tomorrow.

--James

Posted by branajam ( Apr 29 2008, 02:30:02 PM CEST ) Permalink Comments [1]

Waiting Waiting Waiting

Hi all,

By this time today, I thought I'd have a special announcement for you all, but I don't. Yesterday I promised you that something big was going to happen. I can't say anything yet, but I wouldn't blame you if you were to go to the website to see what's going on.

If you see anything there, be sure to keep it a secret.

See you tomorrow.

--James

Posted by branajam ( Apr 28 2008, 09:45:22 PM CEST ) Permalink Comments [0]

Tomorrow is a Big Day

Hi all,

Something big is coming tomorrow. Any ideas what it could be?

I think you'll be happy when you see it.

It was definitely worth the wait.

Tune in tomorrow for more.

--James

Posted by branajam ( Apr 27 2008, 07:47:35 PM CEST ) Permalink Comments [1]

Refactoring Issue

Hi all,

Last minute work continues for the 6.1 release. For example, I just added an issue to the 6.1 Release Notes (#133893). It seems that while refactoring (removing, renaming, etc.) a Java class, the refactoring dialog displays the following error: "Module Spring Beans threw java.lang.ClassCastException: org.netbeans.editor.ext.ExtSyntaxSupport". This happens especially in a web project which was extended by the Spring Web MVC framework.

The workaround is to right-click the project node in the Projects view and click Properties. In the Project Properties dialog box, select the Spring Framework category. In the Configuration Files tab, remove the web/WEB-INF/jsp/index.jsp file and click OK.

See you tomorrow.

--James

Posted by branajam ( Apr 26 2008, 12:28:27 PM CEST ) Permalink Comments [1]

Great Blog: Mac Developer Tips

Hi all,

Today while doing Community related stuff, I came across a fantastic blog by John Muchow: Mac Developer Tips. This blog is full of goodies including two high quality screencasts which were immediately added to the Community Docs wiki (with the author's permission, of course).

During an email exchange with John, I found out that He had been involved in working on the NetBeans Mobility pack a few years ago. What a small world.

Be sure to check out John's blog at http://macdevelopertips.com to see why I'm so excited. First of all, I'm a Mac user. So I'll be scouring his blogs for some Mac tips. Secondly, NetBeans pops up quite often in the blog. A double-whammy, if you will.

Why don't you stop reading this blog and visit Mac Developer Tips now. I promise you it's worth the trip there.

See you tomorrow.

--James

Posted by branajam ( Apr 25 2008, 06:15:04 PM CEST ) Permalink Comments [0]

Check the Version First

Hi NetBeaners,

I've mentioned a few times in my blog how important it is to check the version before starting a tutorial. It's quite frustrating to get halfway through a tutorial only to find out that it won't work. You scroll back up to the top of the tutorial only to find what you'd feared: you were using the wrong version of the tutorial.

The release of NetBeans IDE 6.1 has presented us writers with an interesting situation. Some tutorials work only with NetBeans 6.0, others only with 6.1, and some with both. To get the message out which tutorial works with which version of the IDE, a series of stamps was created. They say it all: We hope that this help users avoid the scenario mentioned above. The version number is also listed in other places as well.

There are other changes as well. A new resource table has been added to tutorials with the applicable version of NetBeans, Java, and other resources. All in all, I think that you find the new tutorial format a little easier on the eyes.

See you tomorrow.

--James

Posted by branajam ( Apr 24 2008, 04:28:29 PM CEST ) Permalink Comments [5]

Big Database changes Planned for NetBeans 6.5

Hi all,

With the release of NetBeans IDE 6.1 just around the corner, we started to focus on NetBeans 6.5. It's scheduled for later this year, and one of the areas that will see lots of changes is databases. Everyone has heard about the acquisition of MySQL by Sun, and one can expect to have more support for MySQL, however, NetBeans 6.5 will offer more support for databases in general (not just MySQL). Databases will be easier to use, even for non-Java developers.

Here's a short list of what's on the table:

• The Database Connection dialog is different. The dialog will no longer be JDBC-specific. You also won't need to enter a URL for the database. You'll add the information and the IDE will do the rest for you. It will also be more user-friendly for non-Java developers.
• Tight integration with Query Editor. PHP and SQL editing go hand-in-hand, and in 6.5 it will be easy to switch between SQL editing and PHP editing.
• Code snippets. Code snippets for SQL and PHP queries. User can also add their own PHP code snippets.
• Auto completion for SQL. This will make SQL editing a lot faster.

I could go on and on, but I won't. I just wanted to whet you appetite a little. I'll blog more about new features as 6.5 is being developed.

See you tomorrow.

--James

Posted by branajam ( Apr 23 2008, 03:44:34 PM CEST ) Permalink Comments [10]

Binding Attributes Again

Hi all,

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote a blog entry about adding binding attributes to components in NetBeans 6.1 Visual Web JSF applications. For most of you out there (those playing around with NetBeans 6.1), this is probably a no-brainer, but some components are easily overlooked when you do this. What I'm talking about precisely is adding a binding attribute to the form component. If you plan on adding any Java code to the form component - and in a lot of cases you will) - you might want to check to see it has a binding attribute. Just go to the JSP Editor and look for the form component. If it has no binding attribute, it will look something like this:

Time to add a binding attribute. Now hold on, before you start clicking all over the Visual Designer trying to add the binding attribute to the form, consider doing it in the Navigator window, where it is easy and crisp (this word just sounded right here). It should look something like this.

There you go. Now you're in business. To check if the binding attribute is in fact there, just go back to the JSP Editor and check the form component again.

The form component is often overlooked when adding binding elements, and if you forget this step, some projects will not work.

Hope this helps.

See you tomorrow.

--James

Posted by branajam ( Apr 22 2008, 03:45:07 PM CEST ) Permalink Comments [0]

Navigator Window: Mulitple Selection

Hi all,

Every once in a while I hear about somebody having mouse clicking problems in the IDE. Sometimes there are problems trying to select multiple items in the Visual Designer, configuring virtual forms for multiple items, or trying to access any one of the items in the contextual menu that appears after right-clicking. There are also issues that apply to certain operating systems and not to others, and certain key combinations that are required to perform certain mouse-related actions. The causes of these problems can be various but the result is almost always the same: frustration.

If you're having problems selecting multiple components in the Visual Designer, try doing all of your selecting and clicking in the Navigator window. I've found it to be a very useful tool indeed.

In the image above, I have selected four components and right-clicked one of them (it doesn't matter which one) and chosen Configure Virtual Forms. Had I done this in the Visual Designer, depending on which OS I use, I'd probably had to use a certain key combination to get the same results. Or maybe, the components were placed close together and I kept selecting the wrong ones. This can be easily avoided by using the Navigator window. You have more precise control over which components you select.

Give it a try yourself and you'll see what I mean.

See you tomorrow.

--James

Posted by branajam ( Apr 21 2008, 06:14:35 PM CEST ) Permalink Comments [1]

Netbeans 6.1 FCS Just Around the Corner

Hi all,

I'm blogging from my kitchen table this morning. It's a quiet Sunday, and I've spend the past few weeks helping to get NetBeans 6.1 docs ready for the public. 6.1 FCS should be out soon, and I think you'll agree that it is one fine IDE.

From the point of Visual Web JSF apps, you'll notice a couple of changes in 6.1:

• Creating a new projects gives you the option of shareable libraries
• Components are no longer have binding attributes when dragging them onto a Visual Web JSF page. You'll have to add a binding attribute yourself if you plan to add any Java code to them.

There are other changes as well, and I'll be writing about these in the weeks to come. Do remember to always check the version number of tutorials to see if it works in NetBeans 6.1.

Cheers!

--James

Posted by branajam ( Apr 20 2008, 10:36:46 AM CEST ) Permalink Comments [1]

Tutorial Weekend

Hi all,

Our web docs deadline is coming up on Wednesday and we writers have been scrambling to get all of our tutorials in order for the 6.1 release. I spent all of Saturday and most of Sunday working on putting my docs into the right format. In the past, Visual web docs were in a different format than other NetBeans documentation, a leftover from the Java Studio Creator days. So, it was a lot of work putting my docs into NetBeans format. Also, our web team has been busy working on our stylesheet, and we've been going through tutorials, cleaning up the HTML, and adding new features. It's been a lot of work, but the result will be very nice indeed.

Now, when you open up a new and improved tutorial, one of the first things you'll notice is an image letting you know which version of the IDE is required for the tutorial. Some tutorials work only with NetBeans 6.0, others only with 6.1. Some work with both 6.0 and 6.1. You'll also see a new Resources table. I can't wait to hear what you think of the new formatting.

So what's the photograph at the tops of this blog entry? On Sunday, I took a two-hour break from my documentation duties to visit Svaty Jan pod Skalou (St. John under the Cliff), a monastery not too far from where I live. There's a cave under the monastery in which monks are buried, some as far back as the 14th century. The photo was taken from atop the cliff, looking down. Quite a drop, eh?

See you tomorrow.

--James

Posted by branajam ( Apr 14 2008, 02:18:50 PM CEST ) Permalink Comments [0]

NetBeans 6.1 Release Candidate

Hi all,

If you go to the NetBeans downloads page, you'll find a new entry in the upper right-hand corner. The 6.1 Release Candidate is out, and it's just waiting for you to give it a test drive.

I think you'll be satisfied with what's new in 6.1. We writers are busy trying to make as many tutorials as possible work with bit 6.0 and 6.1.

Let me know what you think about RC.

See you soon.

--James

Posted by branajam ( Apr 11 2008, 05:38:06 PM CEST ) Permalink

Leaving Russia

Hi again,

Today is a sad day in my life. I'm leaving St. Petersburg in a few hours, and I thought I'd write down some of the highlights of my trip:

• Getting to know and spending time with our tech writer colleagues. You're a fantastic team!
• Spending some time with members of the L10N team. You people make all the difference in the world...literally. NetBeans a world product because of you.
• Meeting lots of NetBeans users whose enthusiasm for our product is nothing short of spectacular. Thanks for the loyalty!
• Giving a short presentation on NetBeans Community Docs.
• Learning more about our many-faceted product by attending sessions at Sun Tech Days.
• Watching Roman's demos. He definitely one of the best.
• Picking up some media and software tips from Mike Patino. I'm now using Skitch for screenshots. And if I ever want to stream a party again, I'll know where to go and how to do it.
• Visiting the Hermitage (although I missed Nastia's tour on Saturday). Talk about being overwhelmed by culture.
• Practicing what little Russian I know and learning more.
• Great Russian cuisine (a little spicier than Czech) and the bottomless vodka.

I could go on and on, but I won't. I had a great time here, and I'll probably be back this fall for a few days of vacation.

See you back in Prague.

--James

Posted by branajam ( Apr 08 2008, 10:06:58 AM CEST ) Permalink

St. Petersburg: Day Seven

Hi again,

Today is day seven in St. Petersburg. we spent the day at the Sun office here. We had a writers' meeting and had some great food brought in. We had the chance to talk about a lot of things.

The weekend was spent in the city. Saturday we visited the Naval Museum and then some of went to the Hermitage Museum. I went to the Hermitage on Sunday, and Sunday evening we had a very nice dinner in an Italian restaurant.

We fly back to Prague tomorrow, and I have to admit that I'm really going to miss my colleagues in St. Petersburg. I had a great time thanks to them. I'm looking forward to showing them the same hospitality when they come to Prague.

The photo was taken at the Hermitage. I think it's Roman Strobl's daughter (of Roumen's Blog fame).

--James

Posted by branajam ( Apr 07 2008, 06:11:13 PM CEST ) Permalink

St. Petersburg: Day Five

Hi again,

Day five in St. Petersburg has just started. It's Saturday, and that means that Sun Tech Days is over. Yesterday was NetBeans Day, and you can see from the photograph above that a lot of topics were covered, not just how to use the IDE. I even got to do a short presentation on NetBeans Community Docs.

Last night at our apartment, we go together with some writers and engineers from both St. Petersburg and Prague. We had lots of food and drink, and we even had a live stream of the party going for most of the evening.

Today we're going to the Russian Naval Museum and after lunch we'll be visiting the Hermitage.

See you tomorrow.

--James

Posted by branajam ( Apr 05 2008, 06:36:19 AM CEST ) Permalink

St. Petersburg: Day Three

Hi again,

Today is the second day of Sun Tech Days in St. Petersburg. Yesterday, I got attend a couple of interesting sessions, one of Ruby and another on Web Services. Today, as you can see above, I attended a presentation on Ajax and the frameworks that support it. Ajax is something that a lot of people are interested in, and the second session that talks about Ajax (Rich Application Development with JMaki) is just about to start, so don't be surprised if this blog ends suddenly.

So far, St. Petersburg has been great. We've been spending some time with our Russian writers, and I have to say that we have one hell of a team. Working with them has always been pleasant, but now that I've spent some time with them working with them will be even better.

I'll blog some more tomorrow. See you then.

--James

Posted by branajam ( Apr 03 2008, 11:24:17 AM CEST ) Permalink