About NetBeans Platform and Module Development
See Also
A NetBeans module is a Java archive (JAR) file which contains Java classes written to interact with the
NetBeans APIs.
A module identifies
itself as a module by an entry in its MANIFEST.MF file.
NetBeans modules are packaged as NBM files (.nbm extension) for non-installer
distribution, usually via the NetBeans Update Center.
NetBeans modules are written with one of two aims in mind:
- Extending the IDE. You can very easily extend the IDE's functionality with
new features. For example, you can write modules that make your favorite cutting-edge
technologies available to the NetBeans IDE. Or, if you miss some functionality in the IDE, you
can add it yourself, by writing a module that provides the desired functionality.
- Building a standalone application. You can use the core of NetBeans as a platform on
top of which you develop rich client applications. The core of NetBeans is a separate NetBeans product
called the NetBeans Platform. You can save a lot of development time
by reusing features readily available in the NetBeans Platform.
- See Also
- About the NetBeans Platform
- About the NetBeans APIs
- About the System Filesystem
- About XML Layer Files
- Working with Modules
- Module Tasks: Quick Reference
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