This is the home page for anything related to design of NetBeans UI. Here, you can find all user interface specifications, usability studies and other resources realted to UI.
Graphic Repository The Graphic Repository contains all graphic material related to NetBeans IDE like splashscreens, list of icons and another UI elements.
UI Design Resources This section contains links, articles and other NetBeans related materials, which doesn't fit into below listed categories.
NetBeans6.0
NetBeans 6.0 comes with a lot of new features and a whole new brand! Many former packs have been integrated to give unified look and feel and provide the best overall experience. It is now more sexy and easier to use than ever before!
Option Dialog UI Specification (part 1, part 2) The redesign of Option panel for 6.0 release. However, some parts are not to be implemented for 6.0.
[2007-06]
NetBeans 5.5 supports the Java Enterprise Edition 5 platform, and most notably the
Java Persistence, EJB 3 and JAX-WS 2.0 specifications.
NetBeans IDE 5.5 builds on the success of NetBeans 5.0 and adds support for
Java EE 5 and Sun Java System Application Server PE 9. Got Web 2.0? Of course!
NetBeans 5.5 generates JAX-WS 2.0 artifacts for Java SE 6 and Java EE 5 projects.
Additionally, there is the new Subversion support module and an updated module for the GUI builder.
.NET2Java UI Specification
.NET2Hava is designed to import a .NET project written in C# or VB to the Java platform. [2006-06-02]
Usability Reports
NB Enterprise pack
Usability Study Report: NetBeans Enterprise Pack 5.5 [2006-08-09]
Java EE 5
The usability study was focused on testing the new Java EE 5 functionality in NetBeans targeted for Promotion G (NetBeans 5.5). [2006-04-10]
NetBeans5.0
NetBeans IDE 5.0 introduces comprehensive support for developing IDE modules and rich client applications based on the NetBeans platform, the new intuitive GUI builder Matisse, new and redesigned CVS support, Weblogic9 and JBoss 4 support, and a lot of editor enhancements.
Updated: 22.11.2005
UI Specifications
Source and Navigate menu
This is the specification for Navigation and Source main menu. This document also describes changes in ordering and naming of menu items in other menus. [2005/10/13]
"Introduce Variable" - Refactoring
This specification describes feature that allows to replace occurances of an expression by a new local variable. [2005/8/11]
"Extract superclass" - Refactoring
This UI specifiactions describes feature that allows to create a new class based on a given (base) class. The new class is superclass of the base class [2005/8/11]
Toolbar Customizer
This UI spec describes new operations, which are available in Toolbar Customizer. [2005/7/28]
Template Manager
This UI Spec. describes feature that allows users to create a file from preinstalled templates, create new template or modify existing template. [2005/8/13]
Module Manager
This UI specification introduces redesigned Module Manager. [2005/8/17]
"Push Down" - Refactoring This feature allows to "push down" type members (methods, fields, inner classes) and interfaces in the implements clause into all direct subtypes of the type. [2005/8/25]
"Safe Delete" - Refactoring The Safe Delete refactoring function is useful if user needs to remove a class/method/field and check whether it is used. [2005]
"Pull Up" - Refactoring This document describes a feature that allows to "pull up" members of a class and interfaces in the implements clause into a supertype. [2005/8/25]
Drag and Drop in Editor This feature allows users to simply drag and drop pieces of code in editor. [2005/7/28]
Surround With Surround With is an editor action to surround the selected block of code. [2003]
NetBeans IDE 4.1 adds support for developing applications for the J2EE 1.4 Platform and their deployment to the Sun Java™ System Application Server Platform Edition 8 2005Q1. For information about J2EE development features in NetBeans IDE, see j2ee.netbeans.org. In this release users can browse and configure project classpath using Libraries node in the Project View, use automatically generated Debug and Compile Single File actions for projects with existing build scripts, set up projects with multiple source roots or easily browse and navigate around their classes using naviagtor component.
Updated: 6.6.2005
UI Specifications
Code Navigator
Navigator allows users easy to orientate in java source code as well as to perform some basic actions. [2005/1/14]
JUnit Tests (release F)
User Interface Specification for JUnit Test module in Promo Release F. [2005/5/11]
Refactoring menus
Refactoring menus are now restructured and contains items and action, which are modifying the Project. [2005/4/22]
Editor - Highlighting the Active Line
The new color specification for the highlighting/selection color in the code Editor. This UI Specification also describes the rules and reasons for using colors in an UI. [2005/3/14]
Glyph Gutter and the Foldingbar
This UI Spec. describes the new look of the Glyph gutter, the new color scheme used for the gutter and Folding bar. [2005/3/25]
J2EE Server Management
Server Manager, Add Server Wizard, Server Properties, Runtime Window. [2005/4/26]
EJB Components and Web Services
New File Wizards, Project Window (detailed), Source Editor, Web Services Registry. [2005/4/25]
Web Application Project
New Project Wizard, Project Window, Project Properties, New File Wizard. [2005/4/25]
Build System UI Spec - Promotion E
Build System UI Spec specifies GUI elements of the new build system that are common to all project types. [2005/1/14]
J2SE Project Type UI Spec - Promotion E
J2SE Project Type UI Spec specifies GUI elements for specialized manipulation with J2SE Project Type. This specification is an extension of the Build System UI Spec document, which should be read prior to this one. [2005/4/8]
Freeform Project Type UI Spec - Promotion E
Freeform Project Type UI Spec specifies GUI elements for specialized manipulation with Freeform Project Type. The Freeform project type represents a user project based on existing custom Ant build script and existing sources in a freeform project and build structure. This specification is an extension of the Build System UI Spec document, which should be read prior to this one. [2005/3/18]
Autoupdate wizard UI spec
The AutoUpdate module is configured to check the content of Update Centers after some period of time. Users have complained that the Connecting dialog is intrusive and makes some users to disable this functionality... [2005/3/15]
VCS UI Spec
This document is a user interface specification of Version Control System (VCS) functionality in NetBeans IDE. [2005/5/12]
Refactoring usability study report
The usability study was focused on observing the first hour experience when using refactoring features included in NetBeans IDE.
JMX Support UI Specification Review
The JMX API brings standardisation to management and monitoring of components. This is a review of the JMX Support UI specification.
The main themes for this release are coding productivity enhancements and new project system based on Apach Ant. This release will also include Web Application Development Improvements, J2SE 1.5 Support, Debugger Improvements, etc.
UI Specifications
J2SE project type
Specifies GUI elements for specialized manipulation with J2SE Project Type.
Build System
Specifies GUI elements of the new build system, which are common to all project types.
Favorites window
Describes that the Favorites window allows the user to create files and folders outside of a project context.
Source editor related actions
The intention of this specification is to revise all editor actions and their occurence throughout the main menus.
OOBE usability study report
The usability study was focused on observing the OOBE & first hour experience in NetBeans IDE.
WS usability study report
The usability study was focused on observing the first hour experience when using Window system features (Sliding window and Multiview).
Refactoring usability study report
The usability study was focused on observing the first hour experience when using refactoring features included in NetBeans IDE.
Build system usability study report
The study was focused on observing the first hour experience when using NetBeans IDE based on new build system with J2SE project type.
WebApps project usability study report
The study was focused on observing the first hour experience when using NetBeans IDE based on new build system with WebApps project type.
NetBeans3.6
In this release, there are some improvements such as: Window Navigation, Appearence and Look&Feel, Editor Improvements, Web/J2EE Development, Ant Support, Version Control Integration, Help System Improvements and many other changes.
UI Specifications
Task List integration
About integration of existing Task list to official distribution. [2004/1/9]
Smart Paste feature
About "Smart Paste" action in Source editor (for copying code from other places, e.g. from outside of the IDE). [2003/1/7]
VCS Outputs
Describes how the outputs would be presented in the new windowing system.
Smart brackets
About the IDE which would insert a closing bracket each time when opening bracket is typed.
Shortcut for implemeting/overriding methods
This feature invokes short list of all the methods that are candidates for implementation or overriding in edited class. [2003/11/24]
Error tooltips
This error tooltip will be added so that when the user hovers over the erroneous code in the editor the error tooltip is shown. [2003/11/13]
Print to html
Describes the ability to print any file in the editor to an html file. [2003/11/12]
Smart Enter inside String
About inserting a new line (the source code remains in a consistent state).
Java Class Wizard
Introduces with the intention of helping novice or inexperienced users get started creating Java classes. [2003/11/11]
Start new line and Split line actions
Describes two simple keyboard actions: Start New Line, Split Line, which are useful variations of the Insert newline action.
Select document node in Explorer
Defines behavior of an action which allows the user to select the node in explorer corresponding to a document open in the document area.
Code Folding
Allows to collapse (hide) and expand certain parts of the document.
PS-customizer
Experimental look of a Customizer button.
Prototype
Design comparison of a Boolean property in the new Property Sheet.
Window system
Defines basic window system elements, their behavior, appearance and interaction with user.
Usability Reports
NetBeans Project Manager Prototype II
This study tested the NetBeans project system, using participants who were a mix of developers with NetBeans/S1S experience and those with other IDE or tool background.
NetBeans Project Manager Prototype
The usability study was focused on observing the first hour experience when using Window system features (Sliding window and Multiview).
CVS/NetBeans Usability Test
This test was designed to detect usability issues that pertained to the integration of two source control suites with the IDE: CVS and TeamWare.
UI Specifications and Reports for earlier versions of NetBeans could be found in our archive.
