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]

Hello World

Hello world,

James' Mac here again. OK, I've just about had enough of this "time for myself" thing. James has been gone since Wednesday, and although I like having time for myself, this is getting a little out of hand. A thin layer of dust is starting to settle on my silver casing. And what about my keys? Will they still have the same flexibility the next time he caresses them?

I'm starting to think that this "alone" thing isn't what it's cracked up to be.

I miss the warm sensation I get whenever NetBeans starts up. I miss my connection with the world through the LAN cable. And the way my external monitor lights up whenever I talk to it. Oh, the sorrow. How could he have deserted me like this? Aren't there more tutorials to write? Isn't there a user out there in dire need a new online Help topic? Is anybody listening to me?

Oh well, I guess I'll have to be patient. James will be back tomorrow and then it's back to business, baby!

Signing out.

James' Mac

Posted by branajam ( May 04 2008, 09:00:00 AM CEST ) Permalink Comments [0]

A Weekend for Me

Hey world,

This is James' Mac again. James is still on vacation in Eastern Bohemia. I'm sitting back and relaxing. Nobody'll be banging on my keys for another 48 hours at least. This is definitely the life.

Since I finally have the chance to make my voice heard, let me try to clear up a few myths about computers. I am a computer, so I can offer a unique perspective on the matter. OK brace yourselves, this might hurt a bit.

90 % of all computer malfunctions originate between the keyboard and the chair. Unless, of course, you're using Microsoft Windows, where this figure can be as low as 10 %.

Having said that, It's time for another beer.

See you tomorrow

James' Mac

Posted by branajam ( May 03 2008, 09:00:00 AM CEST ) Permalink Comments [0]

James' Mac Takes Over

Hello world,

James is somewhere in Eastern Bohemia this weekend. He left some scheduled blogs to be published, but since he's gone, I hope you won't mind me, his computer, taking over for a while. (When the cat's away, the mice will play.)

Well, uh, where do I start? How about a little background information? I'm a 17" MacBook Pro. James and I got together in October of 2006, after his ex, a Sony Viao, and he weren't getting along so well. He still has nightmares about all the blue screens he saw when he and his Viao were together. It was a horrible relationship. I'm happy to say that our relationship is a very stable one. No crashes to date, although Parallels does make me a little tipsy sometimes, and when I get tipsy I slow down a little.

Wow. I'm starting to like this blogging thing. It's allowing me to get a lot of things off my keyboard.

James takes pretty good care of me. He cleans my screen regularly, and he even still puts the original plastic liner between the screen and keyboard before he close me. I only wish he would spend less time with me, I mean, I have a life too. It seems like we're always together, especially before NetBeans releases. Oh well, I guess I'll get used to it.

See ya later.

James' Mac

Posted by branajam ( May 02 2008, 09:00:00 AM CEST ) Permalink Comments [0]

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]