Rich-Client Applications

Apart from plug-in modules, you can create complete, functioning, standalone rich-client applications. The NetBeans open source project provides an application framework called the NetBeans Platform. The NetBeans Platform has all the basics that every desktop application needs, such as menus, toolbars, and a windowing system. In fact, NetBeans IDE itself is built on top of the NetBeans Platform and serves as an example NetBeans rich-client application.

NetBeans rich-client applications are built out of a series of NetBeans plug-in modules added to the NetBeans Platform. For example, the NetBeans IDE is itself made up of a large collection of plug-in modules that have been added to the NetBeans Platform, as shown in Figure 17-1.

Figure 17-1. NetBeans IDE: a rich-client application, assembled from plug-in modules

Read this chapter if you want to develop either NetBeans plug-in modules or rich-client applications, because the general process of creating a rich-client application in NetBeans IDE 5.0 is similar to that of creating NetBeans plug-in modules. Where there are differences between developing NetBeans rich-client applications and NetBeans plug-in modules in the context of the topics discussed in this chapter, they are mentioned.

A comprehensive guide to developing NetBeans plug-in modules is not provided in this chapter; that subject deserves its own separate book. Instead, this chapter focuses on the development process and the user interface that was created to assist you in developing plug-in modules. After reading this chapter, you will have the basics to get started. You will also be given some pointers for further exploration and helpful tips for developing plug-in modules.