So to get started we will need a few things. I recommend going to the NetBeans website and download the NetBeans package that comes with the Java JDK (Java Development Toolkit).
1. When you click the link above, it will take you to the download page that should look something like this:
Now, if you plan on using NetBeans to program languages other than just Java, then I would recommend getting the Full version. However, if all you want NetBeans for is to code Java, then you can get away with just downloading the Java SE version.
2. OK, once you download the IDE and go through the instillation process. you will have a NetBeans icon in your applications folder. Go ahead and open it and lets take a quick tour.
3. Alright, when you open NetBeans you will see a screen that slightly resembles this:
I have customized my version of NetBeans so your color scheme will look quite a bit different. Don’t worry its easy to change if you want to.
4. At the top, you have buttons to create a new file, new project, save, cut, copy, paste, undo, redo, build, build and clean, run, debug, and view profile.
5. The next line of buttons allows you more functionality, with things like find and replace, multi-line tab forward and backward, toggle bookmarks, start and stop macro recordings, and comment and un-comment lines.
6. The large open space in the middle is where you will actually write your code, and the smaller area at the bottom of the screen is the terminal output of your code.
7. And finally on the left hand side of the screen you have the projects tab. This is where all of your projects will show up for easy access. Yours will probably be almost empty.
8. Check out my next Java tutorial to learn how to write “Hello World!”
