Working with Rich-Client Applications

A rich-client application is a complete, functioning, standalone Swing application, built on top of the NetBeans Platform.

The following table outlines the development cycle of rich-client applications, from creation to distribution.
Number one
Set up
the application
  1. Begin creating your application by using the NetBeans Platform application project template.
  2. Optionally, before going further, brand the application by providing a splash screen and other external customizations, as described in step 6 below.

Number three
Develop
the application
  1. Begin creating each distinct part of your application by using the module project template.
  2. Right-click a module project in the Projects window and choose New > Other.
  3. In the New File wizard, choose the best NetBeans API template for your programming needs.
  4. After using a wizard, double-click the file that you would like to edit. Use the Source Editor to edit the file.
  5. Refer to the

Number 3
Build
the application
  • Choose Build > Build Main Project or right-click any project and choose Build Project.

Number 4
Try out
the application
  • Right-click the application project node and choose Run Project.

Number 5
Brand
the application
  • Right-click the application node in the Projects window and choose Properties. Use the Application panel to brand the name of the application launcher.
  • Right-click the application node again, choose Branding, and then use the tabs Basic, Splash Screen, Window System, and Resource Bundles to brand these details of the application.

Number 6
Distribute
the application
You can distribute the application in one or both of the following ways:
  • Create a ZIP Distribution
    • Right-click the application project and choose Package as | ZIP Distribution.

      The application's executable and its clusters are packaged in a ZIP distribution.

    • Distribute the ZIP file.
  • Create a JNLP Application
    • Right-click the application project and choose JNLP | Build.

      The application's JNLP files are created.

    • Put the JNLP application on a server.
  • Create an Installer
    • Right-click the application project and choose Project Properties.

      In the Installer panel, specify the installers you would like to create.

    • Close the Project Properties dialog, right-click the application project and choose Package as | Installers. The installers are created in the application 'dist' folder, visible in the Files window (Ctrl-2).

Number 7
Distribute
updates to the application
  1. Right-click the application project and choose Create NBMs.

    An NBM file is created for each module project in the application project. In addition, an autoupdate descriptor is created.

  2. Distribute the NBM file for installation via the Plugins manager.


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