NetBeans Community Reaches Latest Milestone With General Availability of Open Source NetBeans 5.5 Integrated Development Environment

October 30, 2006; 07:31 AM

Sun Microsystems, Inc., the creator and leading advocate of Java(TM) technology, together with the NetBeans community today announced the general availability of NetBeans(TM) 5.5 Integrated Development Environment (IDE) via download at www.netbeans.org . NetBeans 5.5 is the first and only freely available IDE to provide comprehensive support for Java EE 5, the industry standard for developing portable, robust, scalable, and secure server-side Java applications. NetBeans 5.5 contains a variety of new features, including: Java Persistence API and JAX WS 2.0 productivity tools, Subversion support, and enhancements to the NetBeans GUI Builder (formerly known as Project Matisse).

NetBeans 5.5 is an easy-to-use tool for developing Java applications or building a rich-client application on the NetBeans Platform. NetBeans 5.5 ensures the common look and feel of applications post-deployment across the following platforms: Solaris(TM) and other distributions of OpenSolaris code, GNU/Linux, Microsoft Windows, and Apple Macintosh OS X. NetBeans 5.5 also provides comprehensive support for Java Platform Standard Edition (Java SE), Java Platform Enterprise Edition (Java EE), and Java Platform Micro Edition (Java ME).

In addition, Sun is announcing the simultaneous release of five value-added packs for NetBeans 5.5. The value-added packs include: NetBeans Enterprise Pack (http://www.netbeans.org/products/enterprise/ ), NetBeans Mobility Pack (http://www.netbeans.org/products/mobility/ ), NetBeans Profiler 5.5 Pack (http://www.netbeans.org/products/profiler/ ), as well as a technology preview of NetBeans Visual Web Pack (from Sun Java Studio Creator) (http://www.netbeans.org/products/visualweb/ ), and NetBeans C/C++ Pack (beta) (http://www.netbeans.org/products/cplusplus/index.html ).

"The release of NetBeans 5.5 IDE and the value-added packs is a great example of the tremendous momentum Sun is experiencing with our open source initiative," said Laurie Tolson, vice president, Java Developer Products and Programs at Sun. "The NetBeans community of active users has increased by a factor of six during the past 2 years -- and we expect that momentum to continue as NetBeans 5.5 delivers the tools developers require for enhanced productivity in the creation of software."

Some of the technology highlights of the value-added packs include: NetBeans Enterprise Pack adds to the NetBeans IDE all the tools needed for writing, testing, securing and debugging service-oriented architecture (SOA) applications using XML, BPEL, and Java Web services.

    *NetBeans Mobility Pack 5.5 introduces support for JSR-226, which allows
     developers to utilize Scalable Vector Graphics in their Java ME
     applications. Another key new benefit is the ability to create and run
     Java ME Unit tests with the IDE and integrated emulators.
    *NetBeans Profiler 5.5 adds support for several new runtime environments
     and features that make profiling Enterprise Java Beans (EJBs(TM)) easier.
    *NetBeans Visual Web Pack (technology preview) allows developers to
     visually and easily develop standards-based web applications. Available
     with a rich visual-design time environment and industry leading support
     for Ajax-enabled JavaServer Faces components. NetBeans Visual Web Pack
     helps developers power their build out of next generation web
     applications.
    *NetBeans C/C++ Pack (beta) provides support for C/C++ application
     development in the NetBeans IDE. C/C++ developers can use the NetBeans
     IDE, in conjunction with their specified set of compilers and tools, to
     build native applications.

Tolson continues, "With the expansion of the NetBeans IDE community, and the extended feature set available through the value-added packs, we see the industry lining up behind NetBeans as the premier tool for delivering solutions to the developer community."

Technical support for NetBeans is available through Sun Developer Expert Assistance (http://developers.sun.com/developer_help/ ) -- a Sun Developer Services Program. Sun's Developer Services programs (http://developers.sun.com/services ) offer Java technology and Solaris OS developers a complete line of developer how-to help, product support and updates, and training that reduces time and risk for the entire application lifecycle -- from development through deployment. Developers are encouraged to join the Sun Developer Network Program, at no cost, by registering online at: http://developers.sun.com/register .

In other related news, Sun announced it has expanded the current NetBeans Partner Program for companies building add-ons to the NetBeans IDE and recommending NetBeans to their developer communities. The expanded NetBeans Strategic Partner Program offers new marketing benefits, technical support and incentives for its growing community. The NetBeans Partner Program, formalized in November 2005 has grown to more than 125 corporate members taking advantage of Sun's software, services, tools and education to help their customers embrace NetBeans technology. On the net: http://www.netbeans.org/community/partners/

About Sun Microsystems, Inc.

A singular vision -- "The Network Is The Computer"(TM) -- guides Sun in the development of technologies that power that world's most important markets. Sun's philosophy of sharing, innovation, and building communities is at the forefront of the next wave of computing: the Participation Age. Sun can be found in more than 100 countries and on the Net at http://sun.com .