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Installing NetBeans 5.5 Visual Web Pack Redux

Tuesday Dec 12, 2006

Today I looked into the VWP installation process from a customer viewpoint. VWP is short for "NetBeans 5.5 Visual Web Pack" and is the latest incarnation of the project I've been working on for the past three years. I found some verbose but complete instructions, but I wanted to provide a simpler set of steps and provide a recommended configuration. (All of the following downloads are free, as in without cost.)

First, if you have VWP TP installed, uninstall it.
If you do not yet have a JDK (Java Development Kit) installed, download and install one from this page. Among the several download buttons on that page, select the one that is for the JDK. It should be the first one listed.
Next we will install NetBeans 5.5 and a Java EE 5 app server. If you do not yet have NetBeans 5.5 installed, download and install the NetBeans 5.5 and Sun App Server bundle. VWP supports Java EE 5 which has features that make applications easier to develop. The bundle includes Sun App Server 9.0 UR1, a Java EE 5 conforming server, and it also includes a database which many VWP apps use. However if you already have NetBeans 5.5 installed, download and install just Sun App Server 9.0 UR1 or later. Select the "Java EE 5 SDK Now" button at the very top of the page above the tabs. After installing the app server, manually add it to NetBeans. Go to the "Runtime" window over the "Servers" node and select "Add Server" from the context menu, then follow the instructions.
Finally, download and install the Visual Web Pack.

I have tried to minimize the downloads and installs required to produce a recommended configuration of VWP similar to a Creator all-in-one type download. I'm sure that some of the links above may change. Please post comments on this entry and I will try to keep this information current. If you have problems with the installation process, you can look at the full instructions and post questions to the nbusers mailing list. For those that have used Creator before, the VWP installation process is currently more complex. There is not a single all-in-one bundle. As I understand it, there is an effort underway to make this easier. Until then, I hope this information is useful.

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Posted at 04:51AM Dec 12, 2006 by edwingo in Tools
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If I already have NetBeans do I have to uninstall it and install the bundled NetBeans with the Sun App Server?

Posted by 192.18.43.225 on December 12, 2006 at 09:57 AM PST #

No, you can just install a Java EE 5 app server such as the Sun AS 9 UR 1. You should be able to download and install it from this page. Select the "Java EE 5 SDK Now" button at the very top of the page above the tabs. (Yeah, I know the download pages are confusing, I don't have any control over them.) HTH.

Posted by Edwin Goei on December 12, 2006 at 10:25 AM PST #

I forgot to mention one other detail. After installing Sun AS 9 UR 1, you need to add it as a server in NetBeans. In the "Runtime" window over the "Servers" node, select "Add Server" and navigate to the location where you installed the Sun AS.

Posted by Edwin Goei on December 12, 2006 at 04:17 PM PST #

Some essential points:

The easiest way to install VWP is to install the NB bundled with Glassfish and then install VWP.

However, if you already have NB installed and do not have Glassfish (Application Server 9) you should know that:

o You do not need Glassfish for the Visual Web Pack. You only need Glassfish if you want to use JSF 1.2. (as of this date)

o If you want to use Glassfish, install it and configure the IDE to use it before installing VWP

o If you choose to install Glassfish after you install VWP, restart the IDE to make the sampled Travel database available.

o If you don't want to use Glassfish, see the installation instructions for how to get the Travel database. Some sample apps and tutorials use this database.

Posted by diva#2 on December 15, 2006 at 10:13 AM PST #