NetBeans is one of the most popular Java IDEs and Rich Client Platforms (RCP) in use today. What is a RCP you may ask? A RCP is a desktop application framework, much like a web application framework, that eases the burden of developing rich desktop applications by taking care of the standard plumbing code that is necessary for any desktop application. Think menus, windows, view and model syncing etc.
Rich Client Platforms - The Return to the Desktop
Of course desktop applications are unloved today, but many are beginning to acknowledge that the web cannot beat the rich user experience of a desktop app, no matter how hard Web 2.0 tries. The latest attempt at improving the web, HTML 5, looks like it will take some time to settle down and, given the number of influential players who are determined to push their own agendas, it is likely it will suffer from same of the same short comings of the current HTML 4 standard.
In the mean time desktop applications have been rebranded as Rich Internet Applications (RIA) to make them attractive again to management and developers alike.The truth is though, that they are simply desktop applications that are integrated with web or cloud services, and have incorporated the best parts of web applications namely easy deployment and update via remote web servers.
Of the platforms available for Java developers NetBeans is the only one that uses the standard swing ui. This is why NetBeans is chosen by corporates around the world as it leverages their development teams existing skills and, being standards compliant, makes it easy to find resouces already familiar with swing.
NetBeans Training in Johannesburg and Cape Town
In South Africa some prominent institutions, like the South African National Defence force are making use of the NetBeans platform to delivery rich applications with improved productivity and quality. Given the demand for NetBean, we have organised for Geertjan Wielenga, technical writer for the NetBeans project to deliver a series of training session in South Africa . Please visit www.netbeanstraining.co.za for more information
