Using SSJ with NetBeans

NetBeans is an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) written in Java. It can be used to edit Java files, it contains an integrated compiler, a debugger, etc.

Using SSJ with NetBeans simply requires the setup of the build path in order to tell NetBeans where the classes can be found. A one-time setup is needed to link NetBeans with the classes, and a project-specific part adds SSJ to a project's build path. We will now detail these two steps. This procedure was tested with NetBeans 5.5, but it may work with newer versions of NetBeans. It should also work for using other third-party libraries with NetBeans.

See the home page and on-line help of NetBeans for more information on how to use this IDE.

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Adding SSJ as a user library

When NetBeans is launched, a window similar to the next figure comes up.

Welcome screen of NetBeans.

The user accesses the library manager through the Library Manager command of the Tools menu. This pops up a dialog box similar to the next figure.

The Library Manager of NetBeans. This dialog box has two lists, one at the left showing libraries, and one at the right showing the archives for the currently selected library.

A new library is then created using the New Library button. This button displays a dialog box similar to next figure, and asking the name of the new library. Any meaningful string, e.g., SSJ, can be entered for the library name.

A dialog box allowing the user to enter a name for a new library.

After the OK button is pressed, the library is added and selected. The button Add JAR/Folder... is then used to add JARs into the library. The user must select all JAR files in the lib subdirectory of SSJ. The next figure shows the SSJ library with JARs. After the archives are added, the library manager can be closed using the OK button.

The SSJ library is selected in the Library Manager, and the right list of the dialog box shows the newly-added JARs in the library.




Using SSJ in a project

A project can be created using the New Project command in the File menu. The user then selects Java application in the dialog box that appears, and follows the instructions. After a project is created, it can be set up to use SSJ as follows.

In the Project tab of NetBeans, the user right-clicks on the name of the project that should use SSJ, and selects Properties in the context menu that comes up. The user then selects the Libraries item in the left part of the dialog box that comes up. This results in a window similar to the next figure.

The Libraries in a new project. This dialog box shows an empty list, since there is no library yet.

The user then clicks on the Add Library button, and selects the SSJ library in the list that comes up. The Add Library button is then used to perform the operation.

A dialog box giving the opportunity to add a library to a project. The SSJ library is selected to be added.

The project properties can then be closed using the OK button.