Apache NetBeans 14 Documentation | APIs Overview
dev2221201918171615141312.612.512.412.312.212.112.011.311.211.111.0109.0
Apidoc release date: 9 Jun 2022
This document provides a list of NetBeans APIs with a short description of what they are used for, and a table describing different types of interfaces (see What is an API? to understand why we list DTDs, file formats, etc.) and with a stability category (stable and official, under development, deprecated, friend or private; see API stability for more info). The aim is to provide as detailed a definition of NetBeans module external interfaces as possible and give other developers a chance to decide whether they want to depend on a particular API or not.

Some of these APIs are part of the NetBeans Platform (for example lookup, loaders, utilities, nodes, explorer, window systems, multiview, etc.), some of them are specific to NetBeans IDE (projects, javacore, diff, etc.) and some are not included in the release at all and are just provided for download (usually via autoupdate). Basically when building an application based on NetBeans one is free to choose the set of modules and their APIs to satisfy one's needs.

To get the API of your module listed here, see the documentation for the Javadoc building infrastructure.

Can't find what you're looking for? Try the Apache NetBeans website.



Ant

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

The Ant integration module recognizes Ant build scripts, facilitates editing them as text or structurally, lets the user run targets or create shortcuts to them, etc.

Usage:

Nothing.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
AntLoggerStableorg-apache-tools-ant-module/org/apache/tools/ant/module/spi/AntLogger.html

Permits customization of the way Ant output is displayed.

AutomaticExtraClasspathProviderStableorg-apache-tools-ant-module/org/apache/tools/ant/module/spi/AutomaticExtraClasspathProvider.html

Permits additions to the default Ant classpath.

IntrospectedInfoStableorg-apache-tools-ant-module/org/apache/tools/ant/module/api/IntrospectedInfo.html

Examining cached and introspected data about which tasks and types are known to be defined in the user's Ant scripts, and what their design-time structure is. Used by XML code completion, for example.

AntTargetExecutorStableorg-apache-tools-ant-module/org/apache/tools/ant/module/api/AntTargetExecutor.html

Running named targets in specified Ant scripts. Can be used by modules which provide a different UI for initiating Ant execution. ActionUtils provides a more convenient wrapper around this functionality.

Common Annotations

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

Provides common annotations serving as a documentation element and for static code analysis.

Usage:

Nothing.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
CommonAnnotationsAPIStableorg-netbeans-api-annotations-common/org/netbeans/api/annotations/common/package-summary.html

Debugger Core API

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

The debuggercore/api module (Debugger Core API) allows to install different debugger implementation to one IDE. It allows to share some common UI components.

Usage:

Nothing.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
DebuggerCoreAPIOfficial./org-netbeans-api-debugger

JPDA Debugger API

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

The debuggerjpda/api (Debugger JPDA API) defines API for NetBeans Java Debugger.

Usage:

Nothing.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
JPDADebuggerAPIOfficial./org-netbeans-api-debugger-jpda

HTML UI API

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

NetBeans Platform specific bindings over standard HTML for Java API.

Usage:

The HTML for Java & NetBeans API is a classical NetBeans module. However it depends on other modules provided by the HTML for Java project and those are OSGi bundles. As such, when one decides to use this module, one needs to turn on an OSGi container inside of the NetBeans Platform. It can be either Felix or NetBeans version of Equinox.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
HTMLUIOfficial

NetBeans Platform specific bindings over standard HTML for Java API.

Intent API

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

This module provides a contract between API clients that can express some intention to invoke an operation and SPI providers that can handle that intention. This is useful in client-server environments, where the intention can be constructed on server-side, but handled on client-side. The objects that describe the intention should be easy to construct, transfer and interpret.

Usage:

Standard module dependency is sufficient.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
IntentAPIOfficial./org-netbeans-api-intent/org/netbeans/api/intent/package-summary.html

API for describing and executing intended operations.

IntentHandlerSPIOfficial./org-netbeans-api-intent/org/netbeans/spi/intent/package-summary.html

SPI for handlers that are able to invoke proper operation for specified intents.

I/O API and SPI

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

The Input/Output API and SPI is a small module which contains InputOutput and related interfaces used in driving the Output Window. The normal implementation is org.netbeans.core.output2.

Usage:

Normal module dependency is enough.

Availability of some implementation of the SPI is guaranteed by "OpenIDE-Module-Needs: org.netbeans.spi.io.InputOutputProvider" in the manifest of this module.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
NbInputOutputAPIOfficial./org-netbeans-api-io/org/netbeans/api/io/package-summary.html

The module contains APIs for creating output panes (e.g. output tabs in Output Window in the IDE) and for writing data into them. It also supports some advanced techniques, e.g. color text, hyperlinks, code folding, scrolling to stored positions.

NbInputOutputSPIOfficial./org-netbeans-api-io/org/netbeans/spi/io/package-summary.html

SPI for providing custom implementations of output window is also included in this module, in package org.netbeans.spi.io

Java Support APIs

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

Provides java specific queries (javadc, source level) used by other modules like java language infrastructure. More information in the Javadoc.

Usage:

Nothing.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
JavaSupportAPIsOfficial

The Java Support APIs provides basic facilities for getting or supplying information about Java-language source files. It is based on the query pattern so implementations can be supplied from other modules or projects.

Classpath APIs

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

Models basic aspects of the metadata surrounding list of source roots, such as the classpath. More information in the Javadoc.

Usage:

Nothing.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
ClassPathAPIsOfficial

The ClassPath APIs provides java classpath like ordered collection of (source) roots with ability to listen on changes and helper methods like finding the file under the roots, returning a path from root to given file. It also provides a registry where projects register their classpaths to make them visible to languages infrastructure.

Knockout Model Provider API

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

api.knockout

Usage:

XXX no answer for deploy-dependencies

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
api.knockoutOfficial

API for registering additional providers that help the HTML editor to offer better code completion for certain HTML files based on the produced description of a JSON-like structure.

LSP APIs

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

XXX no answer for arch-what

Usage:

XXX no answer for deploy-dependencies

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
LanguageServerAPIsOfficial

The Lanugage Server APIs provides basic facilities for getting or supplying information used by language server implementations.

Maven API

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

XXX no answer for arch-what

Usage:

No special requirements here.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
MavenArchetypeAPIStable

provides miscellaneous APIs related to operations provided by maven-archetype-plugin. See package description for more details.

Progress API

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

The progress API is good for tracking progress of long lasting tasks in the IDE.

Usage:

Nothing.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
ProgressOfficial./org-netbeans-api-progress/index.html

Progress API - Swing

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

Provides part of Progress API specialized for Swing UIs.

Usage:

XXX no answer for deploy-dependencies

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
ProgressSwingOfficial./org-netbeans-api-progress/index.html

Scripting API Wrapper

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

NetBeans specific extensions to JDK's Scripting API can be found in this module.

Usage:

XXX no answer for deploy-dependencies

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
org.netbeans.api.scriptingOfficial

Scripting class offers static createManager() method that should be used whenever one needs an instance of ScriptEngineManager inside of NetBeans based application.

org.netbeans.spi.scriptingOfficial

Implement EngineProvider and register it into global lookup via ServiceProvider to dynamically discover and offer new ScriptEngines to users of ScriptEngineManager obtained via Scripting factory methods.

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

This project is good for implementators of nodes to define how files under this node should be searched. For example, if you implement a custom project type, you can define which folders should be searched when the project is in the current search scope. It is also good for people who want to add a custom tab into the "Search in projects" dialog. For example, implementators of platform applications can add form with criteria for searching in a database.

Usage:

No extra declaration is required.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
SearchInfoSPIStableorg-netbeans-api-search/org/netbeans/spi/search/package-summary.html

Defines abstract classes SearchInfoDefinition, SearchFilterDefinition, SubTreeSearchOptions and a factory class SearchInfoDefinitionFactory

SearchProviderSPIStableorg-netbeans-api-search/org/netbeans/spi/search/provider/package-summary.html

Defines abstract classes that need to be implemented when creating custom providers: SearchProvider, SearchProvider.Presenter, SearchResultsDisplayer, SearchComposition and relative classes.

SearchProviderAPIStableorg-netbeans-api-search/org/netbeans/api/search/provider/package-summary.html

Classes usually used by search providers. Contains class SearchInfo, that defines which files should be searched (it can be retrieved from methods in SearchInfoUtils, or UI component controller ScopeController), SearchListener that you should inform about events that happen during searching, and helper classes SearchInfoUtils (getting SearchInfo objects for nodes) and FileNameMatcher (filtering files by file name).

SearchProviderUIAPIStableorg-netbeans-api-search/org/netbeans/api/search/ui/package-summary.html

Several UI components that can be used in presenters of search providers, and factory method for creating them.

SearchAPIStableorg-netbeans-api-search/org/netbeans/api/search/package-summary.html

Contains classes for controlling search, passing search criteria, and some helper classes.

File Templates

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

This utility standardizes the process to use files as blueprints to create new files.

Usage:

No specific deploy dependencies.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
DataSystemsAPIOfficial./org-openide-loaders/index.html

Visual Library API

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

The Visual Library 2.0 is the next generation of the original Graph Library 1.0. It is designed for a general visualization with a support for graph-oriented modeling. Its focus is to become a part of the NetBeans platform and unify the visualization (UI and API) used in NetBeans-Platform-based applications. See http://graph.netbeans.org/ web-site for details. See documentation for complete set of use-cases and code-snippets.

Usage:

No. Just set a normal project dependency on org.netbeans.api.visual (spec no.: 2.0) module.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
VisualLibraryAPIOfficial

The API provides a set of reusable pieces - widgets. By composing them you are creating a visualization. Each widget has various properties including layout, border, assigned actions, ... The library contains a set of pre-defined widgets that can be extended. All pluggable pieces are declared as interfaces or abstract classes - WidgetAction, Anchor, AnchorShape, PointShape, Animator, Border, GraphLayout, LookFeel, Layout, SceneLayout, Router, CollisionsCollector. Also they all have their built-in implementation.

XML Tools API

javadoc | download | architecture

It helps with editing XML files and supports leveraging XML in developed application.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
XMLAPIsOfficialindex.html

Core - IDE

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

This module contains various generic IDE-like extensions.

Usage:

XXX no answer for deploy-dependencies

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
core.ideStable

provides handy ServicesTabNodeRegistration accompanied with few UI elements.

MultiView Windows

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

Multi views are general mechanism for displaying several perspectives, or views of data, which will be used consistently across whole IDE window system. Using multi views will enable modules to visually represent data document or object in unified manner at one specific place in the system, yet still allowing for different perspectives of data viewing.

Usage:

Nothing.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
MultiViewStableorg-netbeans-core-multiview/overview-summary.html

Provides support for creation of editors composed from multiple (independent) elements. One can either specify the elements directly or read them from a declarative registration for a particular mime type.

UI Handler Library

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

XXX no answer for arch-what

Usage:

XXX no answer for deploy-dependencies

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
UIGestureCollectorLibraryDevel

Library with utilities for UI Gesture Collector module as well as for the server processing the results.

GraalVM SDK API

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

Bridge that plugs GraalVM languages into Scripting.createManager() can be found in this module.

Usage:

XXX no answer for deploy-dependencies

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
org.graalvm.polyglot.wrapperStable

This module re-exports all found GraalVM languages under GraalVM:lang name and makes them accessible via NetBeans Scripting API.

org.graalvm.polyglotThird_Party

This module re-exports org.graalvm.polyglot APIs. Use them to obtain access to the GraalVM directly, if you only want to work with them and generic Scripting wrapper isn't enough.

Auto Update Services

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

Provides the APIs and SPIs to support the AutoUpdate feature.

Usage:

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
org.netbeans.spi.autoupdateOfficialorg-netbeans-modules-autoupdate-services/overview-summary.html
org.netbeans.api.autoupdateOfficialorg-netbeans-modules-autoupdate-services/overview-summary.html

Auto Update UI

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

This module exposes bits of its UI and user related workflow actions (related to installing, upgrading, etc.) by providing an API calls for other modules to invoke bits of here-in available functionality.

Usage:

You modules can use the AutoUpdateUI API directly (of course you almost certainly need also Autoudate Services), just be aware that this module comes with a UI. It is not always practical to depend on modules that provide a UI from low level infrastructure modules - if that is your case, consider separating calls to AutoUpdateUI into separate bridge module.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
AutoUpdateUIStable

Database Explorer

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

This project provides access to objects defined in the Database Explorer. Documentation is available in the Javadoc.

Usage:

Nothing.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
DatabaseExplorerAPIOfficialorg-netbeans-modules-db/index.html
SQLSupportAPIOfficialorg-netbeans-modules-db/org/netbeans/api/db/sql/support/package-summary.html

Diff

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

The diff module provides the ability to visualize differences between source files. It also has a graphical conflicts resolver tool and built-in patch algorithm. List of the main features: Simple APIs, that provide access to registered diff and merge engines and visualizers. Built in and external diff engines defined. Graphical diff vizualizer and conflicts resolver. Extensible with additional diff and merge engines and vizualizers. Patch algorithm implemented for UNIX-style, unidiff and contextual diff formats.

Usage:

Nothing.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
DiffAPIOfficial
DiffImplementationAPIFriend

Editor Code Templates

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

Code Templates allow to paste various code snippets by using parametrized text. The parameters of the same name will share the same default value and if that value gets changed by user's typing the new value gets replicated into all the parameter's occurrences. Code Templates replace the original abbreviations functionality. Code template's example for (Iterator ${iterator} = ${collection instanceof="java.util.Collection"}.iterator(); ${iterator}.hasNext();) { ${cursor}${iterator}.next();" } Each parameter can have additional hints of what values can be assigned to it. The hint has a form ${param hint=value} or just ${param hint} which translates to ${param hint="true"} If necessary the value of the hint can be enclosed in quotes to allow to write whitespace or { or } into the value. The quote can be written by using \". Reserved parameter names ${cursor} defines position where the caret will be located after the editing of the code template default values will finish. Reserved hint names ${param editable=false} can be used to make the parameter to be skipped from user's editing. This may be useful e.g. with using java-specific type hint (described below). Java: ${ind index} defines that the default value of the parameter should be an unused variable in the given context named i. If i is already used then j is attempted or then k etc. until z. Then i0, i1 etc. are attempted. ${param type="java.util.Collection"} defines java type that the parameter must be instance of. Besides class names there can be array e.g. String[] or generics java.util.List<String> ${param array} defines parameter of array type (including arrays of primitive data types). ${param type="java.util.Iterator"} defines that the parameter has the given java type. The template processing infrastructure will use short name Iterator and import java.util.Iterator.

Usage:

Nothing.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
CodeTemplatesAPIStable

Editor Code Completion

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

Code Completion provides users with a list of suggested completions for partially typed texts in the editor and various dialog input fields. The Code Completion module was created to replace the original legacy editor code completion which lacked several key requirements: Support for multiple independent code completion content providers. Implied requirement for ordering and prioritization of the completion items. Direct support for asynchronous completion result computation. Missing separation to the API and SPI and implementation parts.

Usage:

Nothing.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
CodeCompletionAPIOfficialorg-netbeans-modules-editor-completion/index.html

Editor Error Stripe

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

The Error Stripe shows an overview of important information of an edited source code. It shows this information for the whole source code (regardless of its size).

Usage:

Nothing.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
TextAPIStable./org-openide-text/overview-summary.html

OpenIDE Text API

ErrorStripeSPIStableorg-netbeans-modules-editor-errorstripe-api/index.html

public SPI provided by the Error Stripe.

ErrorStripePrivateSPIPrivate

Private mark provider SPI.

Editor Code Folding

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

The Code Folding is part of the editor module functionality and it's responsible for hiding of the portions of the code that are less important for the user at the given time.

Usage:

Nothing.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
CodeFoldingAPIOfficial

Editor Guarded Sections

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

Guarded Sections protects user from modifying document content. The main goal is to simplify work with such a content to module writers and preserve created sections.

Usage:

A module using the Guarded Sections API should also require a proper implementation. Eg in case of java content add to your module manifest file:

        OpenIDE-Module-Requires: org.netbeans.api.editor.guards.Java
       

A module implementing the Guarded Sections SPI should provide a token in the manifest file. Eg in case of java content add:

        OpenIDE-Module-Provides: org.netbeans.api.editor.guards.Java
       

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
GuardedSectionsAPIOfficial

The Guarded Sections module is supposed to operate over the Swing's StyledDocument. It allows clients to manipulate named guarded sections that prevents user to modify the content. So if you like to create, modify or delete guarded sections the GuardedSectionManager is the best place where to start.

GuardedSectionsSPIOfficial

The module also allows to implement custom guarded section persistance in various content types like java, xml, ... The easiest way is to subclass AbstractGuardedSectionsProvider.
In order to bind guarded sections to your editor see GuardedSectionsFactory.

Editor Library 2

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

The Editor Library 2 module is a set of official APIs and SPIs, designed to replaces the original Editor Library with legacy APIs that are not properly structured and do not conform to the rules implied on the current NB APIs. The APIs currently offered in Editor Library 2 module include: editor-code-generator editor-highlighting editor-typing-hooks editor-caret

Usage:

Just normal module dependency.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
editor-code-generatorOfficial./org-netbeans-modules-editor-lib2/org/netbeans/spi/editor/codegen/package-summary.html

Code Generator SPI

editor-highlightingOfficial./org-netbeans-modules-editor-lib2/org/netbeans/spi/editor/highlighting/package-summary.html

Highlighting SPI

editor-typing-hooksOfficial./org-netbeans-modules-editor-lib2/org/netbeans/spi/editor/typinghooks/package-summary.html

Typing Hooks SPI

editor-caretOfficial./org-netbeans-modules-editor-lib2/org/netbeans/api/editor/caret/package-summary.html

Editor Caret API

MIME Lookup API

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

Each editor provides an EditorKit which controls the policy of specific MIME content type. The policy of content type should be easily registered and found via some lookup mechanism, that will provide convenient way of using it either for kit provider or base editor infrastructure. In addition to this, the policy can be inherited, (e.g. in case of embeded kits like JSP) and the content types need to be merged in this case. MIME Lookup API should provide all mentioned requierements via easy lookup query, so content type policy user need not to solve this searching and merging on its own side.

Usage:

Nothing.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
MimeLookupAPIOfficial
MimeLookupSPIOfficial

Editor Settings

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

The legacy settings system in the editor module is complicated, error prone and hard to use. It'd been created spontaneously over the years to support immediate needs at that time without paying enough attention to extensibility and interoperability. Historically any module providing editor settings needed to depend on the whole editor module. The main purpose of this project is to define API for editor settings, that is lightweight and easily extensible. The API relies on MimeLookup to provide a way of registering and looking up settings. The aim is NOT to provide an implementation of a storage for editor settings, but to define an interface between this storage and clients like <mime-type> editors, externaleditor, etc.

Usage:

Nothing.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
EditorSettingsAPIOfficial

API

External Execution API

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

Provides common APIs to execute external process in the IDE to handle its streams and present the output to the user. Input/line processing can be used as separate part.

Usage:

Nothing.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
ExternalExecutionAPIStableorg-netbeans-modules-extexecution/org/netbeans/api/extexecution/package-summary.html
ExternalExecutionInputAPIStableorg-netbeans-modules-extexecution/org/netbeans/api/extexecution/input/package-summary.html
ExternalExecutionInputPrintingAPIStableorg-netbeans-modules-extexecution/org/netbeans/api/extexecution/print/package-summary.html
ExternalExecutionSPIStableorg-netbeans-modules-extexecution/org/netbeans/spi/extexecution/package-summary.html
ExternalExecutionDestroySPIStableorg-netbeans-modules-extexecution/org/netbeans/spi/extexecution/destroy/package-summary.html
ExternalExecutionOpenSPIStableorg-netbeans-modules-extexecution/org/netbeans/spi/extexecution/open/package-summary.html
ExternalExecutionStartupAPIStableorg-netbeans-modules-extexecution/org/netbeans/api/extexecution/startup/package-summary.html
ExternalExecutionStartupSPIStableorg-netbeans-modules-extexecution/org/netbeans/spi/extexecution/startup/package-summary.html

Java SE Platforms and Libraries

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

Defines the Java platform type for J2SE (plain JDKs), and the plain Java library type. UI specifications: J2SE-specific portion of Java Platform Manager. Class-library-specific portion of Library Manager.

Usage:

N/A

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
J2SEPlatformCreatorOfficialorg-netbeans-modules-java-j2seplatform/org/netbeans/modules/java/j2seplatform/api/J2SEPlatformCreator.html

API to register a JDK

SPIOfficialorg-netbeans-modules-java-j2seplatform/org/netbeans/modules/java/j2seplatform/spi/package-summary.html

(service provide interfaces) for JDK sources and JavaDoc

Java Platform

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

Many Java-based project types need to be able to configure the version and location of Java to be used when building and running the project. This API/SPI permits these platforms to be registered and queried, and any customizations made in an appropriate GUI and persisted to disk.

Usage:

Nothing.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
JavaPlatformAPIOfficial

The Java Platform API permits access to installed Java platforms (for example, the J2SE JDK, or various mobile-device emulators for J2ME). Particular platform types are registered by modules and can store customized information about the platform to disk.
Note that this module concentrates the part of th API which is independent of the client desktop (and Swing UI library) environment. Its desktop-dependent counterpart is in the org.netbeans.modules.java.platform.ui module.

Java Platform UI

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

Many Java-based project types need to be able to configure the version and location of Java to be used when building and running the project. This API/SPI permits these platforms to be registered and queried, and any customizations made in an appropriate GUI and persisted to disk.

Usage:

Nothing.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
JavaPlatformUIOfficial

The Java Platform API permits access to installed Java platforms (for example, the J2SE JDK, or various mobile-device emulators for J2ME). Particular platform types are registered by modules and can store customized information about the platform to disk.
Note that this module concentrates the UI part of API. Its desktop-independent counterpart is in the org.netbeans.modules.java.platform module.

Java Project Support

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

Provides support infrastructure for projects working with the Java language.

Usage:

Nothing.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
JavaProjectAPIOfficial

The Java Project API is actually entirely SPI and supplies useful implementations of Java-related functionality specific to the project system.

ProjectClassPathExtenderDevel

Implemented by java/j2seproject and asked for by form. Permits the Form Editor to add JavaBeans archives to the classpath of a J2SE project automatically.

ProjectClassPathSupportDevel

Support class containg helper method for creating ClassPathImplementation based on Ant properties.

Java Project Support UI

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

Provides support infrastructure for projects working with the Java language.

Usage:

Nothing.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
JavaProjectUIOfficial

The Java Project API is actually entirely SPI and supplies useful implementations of Java-related functionality specific to the project system. This module focuses on Swing UI components.

JavaPackageChooserFriend

Templatesui module is using reflection to access JavaTemplates class from this module in order to create Java-like package chooser.

Java Source

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

XXX no answer for arch-what

Usage:

XXX no answer for deploy-dependencies

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?

Java Source Base

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

XXX no answer for arch-what

Usage:

XXX no answer for deploy-dependencies

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
JavaSourceAPIOfficial

When the ensure.built.source.roots property is set during ant script execution, the javac task will not actually build the classfiles from scratch, but rather copy classfiles produced by the Java infrastructure into the output folder. The content of the property will be interpreted as list of source roots, for which the artifacts should be copied.

Java Source UI

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

java.sourceui

Usage:

XXX no answer for deploy-dependencies

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
java.sourceuiOfficial

APIs for controling visual aspects of processing of Java files.

JavaHelp Integration

javadoc | download | architecture

The JavaHelp integration API wraps the standard JavaHelp extension library. It also provides a small additional API for NetBeans modules to supply help sets to the system, add GUI menu items, and request that particular help topics be displayed. JavaHelpIntegrationAPI

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
JavaHelpIntegrationAPIOfficialorg-netbeans-modules-javahelp/index.html

Keyring API

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

XXX no answer for arch-what

Usage:

XXX no answer for deploy-dependencies

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
Keyring-APIOfficial

Other modules can access the keyring, or add implementations.

Lexer

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

Lexer module provides token lists for various text inputs. Token lists can either be flat or they can form tree token hierarchies if any language embedding is present. Tokens

Usage:

OpenIDE-Module-Module-Dependencies: org.netbeans.modules.lexer/2 > @SPECIFICATION-VERSION@

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
LexerAPIOfficial

Options Dialog and SPI

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

This module contains implementation of Options Panel and simple SPI.

Usage:

Nothing.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
OptionsDialogSPIOfficial./org-netbeans-modules-options-api/org/netbeans/spi/options/OptionsCategory.html

Parsing API

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

See Parsing API homepage for project requirements, motivation.

Usage:

XXX no answer for deploy-dependencies

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
ParsingAPIStableorg-netbeans-modules-parsing-api/index.html

Parsing API Indexing

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

See Parsing API homepage for project requirements, motivation.

Usage:

XXX no answer for deploy-dependencies

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
IndexingAPIStableorg-netbeans-modules-parsing-indexing/index.html

Print

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

Provides print functionality in NetBeans.

Usage:

Nothing.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
PrintAPIStable

Ant-Based Project Support

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

Provides the basic infrastructure by which Ant-based projects can be created, read and write configuration parameters and properties from/to disk, satisfy common queries and interfaces, etc. See Javadoc and build system design document.

Usage:

Nothing.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
AntProjectAPIOfficial

Mostly an SPI for creating project types centered around the Ant build tool. Permits Ant-based project types to be registered and supplies various support implementations to help satisfy the contract of Project and various optional interfaces.

Ant-Based Project Support UI

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

Provides the basic infrastructure by which Ant-based projects can be created, read and write configuration parameters and properties from/to disk, satisfy common queries and interfaces, etc. See Javadoc and build system design document.

Usage:

Nothing.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
AntProjectUIOfficial

Mostly an SPI for creating project types centered around the Ant build tool. Permits Ant-based project types to be registered and supplies various support implementations to help satisfy the contract of Project and various optional interfaces.

External Libraries

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

Permits libraries to be defined, customized, and stored by the user for reuse in multiple projects. For example, a Java JAR library has a classpath (usually one JAR), and an optional source path and Javadoc path that may be used for development-time features.

Usage:

Nothing.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
ProjectLibrariesAPIOfficial

The Project Libraries API permits definitions of libraries to be registered and persisted. Library type providers may be registered and can construct memory objects corresponding to persistent library definitions.

External Libraries UI

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

XXX no answer for arch-what

Usage:

None.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
project_libs_uiOfficial

API allows to display standard Swing UI for project library manipulation.

Project API

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

Provides a generic infrastructure for modelling projects. Documentation available in the Javadoc. The build system design overview describes the basic purpose of modelling projects.

Usage:

Nothing.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
ProjectAPIOfficial

The Project API defines abstract projects. These are groupings of files built and manipulated as units. It is used for Ant-based projects but could support other scenarios such as makefiles. Modules can plug in project types which can recognize certain folders as being projects, and define their behaviors. Besides the visible Javadoc, this module permits a project to add implementations of org.netbeans.spi.queries.FileBuiltQueryImplementation, org.netbeans.spi.queries.SharabilityQueryImplementation and org.netbeans.spi.queries.FileEncodingQueryImplementation into the project lookup (rather than global lookup). The implementations will be consulted only in the case the relevant file belongs to that project (according to org.netbeans.api.project.FileOwnerQuery). This helps avoid the need to consult irrelevant query implementations.

Project UI API

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

The module supplies the APIs for the basic, generic UI infrastructure for projects: list of opened projects, main project, basic project-sensitive actions, template wizards, etc.

Usage:

Nothing.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
ProjectUIAPIOfficial

The Project UI API provides some miscellaneous APIs and SPIs relating to the appearance and UI behavior of generic projects. Most importantly, it permits the customizer and logical view of a project to be defined.

ProjectUIAPI-providerFriend

Callbacks intended to let the Project UI module plug in implementations of APIs defined here. Uses implementation dependencies.

Base Project UI API

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

The module supplies the APIs for the basic, generic UI infrastructure for projects: list of opened projects, main project, basic project-sensitive actions, template wizards, etc.

Usage:

Nothing.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
BaseProjectUIAPIOfficial

The Project UI API provides some miscellaneous APIs and SPIs relating to the appearance and UI behavior of generic projects. Most importantly, it permits the customizer and logical view of a project to be defined.

BaseProjectUIAPI-providerFriend

Callbacks intended to let the Project UI module plug in implementations of APIs defined here. Uses implementation dependencies.

General Queries API

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

General kinds of queries between modules. Queries are one way of solving the intermodule communication problem when it is necessary for some modules to obtain basic information about the system (e.g. whether a particular file is intended for version control) without needing direct dependencies on the module providing the answer (e.g. the project type which controls the file). Details are covered in the Javadoc.

Usage:

Nothing.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
GeneralQueriesAPIOfficial

The General Queries API provides generic queries, or sources of concrete information, useful throughout the build system and perhaps elsewhere. Each query is split into an API component intended for clients to find the answer to a particular question without knowledge of the underlying structure or origin of the answer; and an SPI interface (using lookup) permitting answers to be provided from any source. These queries currently pertain to VCS and compilation status and user visibility of files.

Command Line Parsing API

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

GetOpts like infrastructure to parse command line arguments with the cooperative participation of various modules.

Usage:

Nothing.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
SendOptsAPIOfficialorg-netbeans-modules-sendopts/org/netbeans/api/sendopts/package-summary.html
SendOptsSPIOfficialorg-netbeans-modules-sendopts/org/netbeans/spi/sendopts/package-summary.html

Settings API

javadoc | download | architecture

Settings are persistent objects with a set of properties, that should be available via lookup. Properties are expected to be changed. Implementation of setting doesn't care about persistence issues, which is responsibility of settings infrastructure. XML persistence support is provided in a standalone autoload module core-settings.jar. Also service types must be mentioned here. Service type can be desribed as typed a named settings. SettingsAPI ServicesAPI XmlSettingsPersistence

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
SettingsAPIOfficial./org-openide-util-ui/org/openide/util/doc-files/api.html#settings
ServicesAPIOfficial./org-openide-util-ui/org/openide/util/doc-files/api.html#service-lookup
XmlSettingsPersistenceOfficial./org-netbeans-modules-settings/org/netbeans/spi/settings/package-summary.html

UI Gestures Collector Infrastructure

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

XXX no answer for arch-what

Usage:

Modules may use functionality of this module either by depending on its presence and registering callback interfaces provided by its API. Or the modules do not need to depend on this module at all, and just generate log records to the UI_LOGGER_NAME_VALUE+".someloggername" logger. These records are then going to be consumed by this module, if enabled.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
CallbackInterfacesDevelorg-netbeans-modules-uihandler/org/netbeans/modules/uihandler/api/Activated.html

interfaces from the API of this module

Debugger Core - UI

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

The debuggercore module (Debugger Core UI) contains shared UI components for all debugger implementations, and defines some SPI for sharing of them.

Usage:

Nothing.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
DebuggerCoreUI-SPIOfficial./org-netbeans-spi-debugger-ui

Navigator API

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

Navigator module is a base API module which provides: A place for modules to show structure/outline of their documents Ability for modules to show their view only when special document(node) is active in the system UI for switching between multiple views available for currently active document(node) Coalescing of fast coming selected node changes to show content for

Usage:

Nothing.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
org.netbeans.spi.navigator.NavigatorPanelStable
org.netbeans.spi.navigator.NavigatorHandlerDevel

Common Palette

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

The project implements a new component palette that will be reused by other projects. The new palette should provide a common look and feel for Form editor, Mobility, J2EE and possible other modules as well. UI draft specification is available at http://ui.netbeans.org/docs/ui/palette/index.html

Usage:

Nothing.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
PaletteStableorg-netbeans-spi-palette/overview-summary.html
javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

QuickSearch API and its implementations provides way for end user to learn system earlier and easier and also to find various things in the system more quickly, conveniently and in standard way. Main project page is on nb wiki, http://wiki.netbeans.org/QuickSearch

Usage:

Nothing, regular depencency is enough.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
SearchProviderOfficialorg-netbeans-spi-quicksearch/org/netbeans/spi/quicksearch/SearchProvider.html
SearchRequestOfficialorg-netbeans-spi-quicksearch/org/netbeans/spi/quicksearch/SearchRequest.html
SearchResponseOfficialorg-netbeans-spi-quicksearch/org/netbeans/spi/quicksearch/SearchResponse.html

Task List API

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

This module provides SPI for third parties that want to display some sort information for the user in the Task List / Problems window. A typical example are Java errors, warnings, TODOs etc. Part of the integration are several implementation modules that provider task list user interface, TODO task scanning, Java integration.

Usage:

no special dependency declarations

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
TaskListSPIOfficialorg-netbeans-spi-tasklist/org/netbeans/spi/tasklist/package-summary.html

TreeTableView Model

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

The debuggercore/ViewModel module (View Model) allows to share one TreeTableView among different modules.

Usage:

Nothing.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
ViewModelOfficial./org-netbeans-spi-viewmodel/overview-summary.html

Actions APIs

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

Actions provides system of support and utility classes for 'actions' usage in NetBeans.

Usage:

Nothing.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
ActionsAPIOfficialorg-openide-actions/overview-summary.html

UI Utilities API

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

The org.openide.awt provides API/SPI for UI related aspects of application.

Usage:

Nothing.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
org.openide.awtOfficial./org-openide-awt/org/openide/awt/package-summary.html

Dialogs API

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

The DialogsAPI allows creating a user notification, a dialog's description and also permits it to be displayed. The wizard framework allows create a sequence of panels which leads a user through the steps to complete any task. This API is part of package org.openide.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
DialogsAPIOfficial./org-openide-dialogs/org/openide/package-summary.html#package.description

Execution API

javadoc | download | architecture

The IDE uses a small interface to describe the execution of Java-based classes together with arguments. The ExecutionAPI controls the execution of user-level classes. The system may have several different types of executors simultaneously installed. By default we provide so called External Execution for running a user code by an external process and Internal Execution for running the user code in the same virtual machine as the IDE.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
ExecutionAPIOfficial./org-openide-execution/org/openide/execution/doc-files/api.html

Explorer & Property Sheet API

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

The ExplorerAPI is build around Explorer - solely a user-interface device: it has no particular knowledge of the structure of the IDE. Rather, it provides the physical user interface for the Node hierarchy, as described in the NodesAPI. A given Explorer instance will be some visual component (such as a Swing panel) displaying some representation of a subtree of the complete Node hierarchy; the topmost node being displayed is said to be the root of the Explorer. Be careful not to confuse the root of a particular Explorer instance, which is selected according to what the user wishes to see, with the root(s) of the entire Node hierarchy, which generally are fixed.

Usage:

XXX no answer for deploy-dependencies

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
ExplorerAPIOfficial./org-openide-explorer/org/openide/explorer/doc-files/api.html
TreeTableViewSortingAPIFriend

File System API

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

The Filesystems API provides a common API to access files in a uniform manner. It is available as standalone library and also is bundled together with other parts of the openide. Specification

Usage:

XXX no answer for deploy-dependencies

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
FilesystemsAPIOfficialorg-openide-filesystems/org/openide/filesystems/doc-files/api.html
FileObjectMoveLookupFriend

masterfs module is using a reflection to re-associate the lookup after a move operation.

Filesystems NetBeans Client

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

Provides UI related extensions for the Filesystems API

Usage:

XXX no answer for deploy-dependencies

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
org.openide.filesystem.spiOfficialorg-openide-filesystems-nb/overview-summary.html
org.openide.filesystemsOfficialorg-openide-filesystems-nb/overview-summary.html

I/O APIs - Swing

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

The Input/Output API is a small API module which contains InputOutput and related interfaces used in driving the Output Window. The normal implementation is org.netbeans.core.output2.

Usage:

You will very likely also want to declare

OpenIDE-Module-Requires: org.openide.windows.IOProvider

to ensure that an Output Window implementation is in fact enabled.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
InputOutputAPIOfficial./org-openide-io/org/openide/windows/package-summary.html

Just an API/SPI for defining the output window.

Datasystems API

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

In summary, the LoadersAPI is responsible for scanning files in a directory on disk, weeding out irrelevant files of no interest to the IDE, and grouping the rest into logical chunks, or just determining what type of data each represents. It does this scanning by asking each registered data loader whether or not the given file(s) should be handled. The first loader to recognize a file takes ownership of it, and creates a matching data object to represent it to the rest of the IDE.

Usage:

XXX no answer for deploy-dependencies

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
LoadersAPIOfficialorg-openide-loaders/org/openide/loaders/doc-files/api.html

Module System API

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

The Modules API lies at the core of NetBeans and describes how plug-in modules are added and managed. ModulesAPI

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
ModulesAPIOfficialorg-openide-modules/org/openide/modules/doc-files/api.html
CoreModulesAPIFriend

Nodes API

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

Nodes API serves as the main aparatus for visualisation of objects in NetBeans. Nodes augment objects with standard aspects used for visualisation (e.g. name, displayName, icons, set of proerties, subnodes hierarchy, etc.) Once a Node is defined for given object it can be visualised using diferent views e.g. trees, lists, tables etc. Descripion of nodes can be found here.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
NodesAPIOfficialorg-openide-nodes/org/openide/nodes/doc-files/api.html

Text API

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

The EditorAPI is used for accessing editor-related functionality from within the IDE for use by other modules and the core IDE itself.

Usage:

XXX no answer for deploy-dependencies

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
EditorAPIOfficial./org-openide-text/org/openide/text/doc-files/api.html
EditorKitInitializationFriend

In order to speedup, or remove the load of initialization of kit in AWT during startup, there is a special API that allows to ask the kit to pre-initialize. If the kit implements Callable interface from JDK, it is called in non-AWT thread. This works since version 6.18 and can be disabled by property oldInitialization.

Base Utilities API

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

Described in the overall answer.

Usage:

None.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
WeakListener.setAccessibleDevelorg-openide-util/org/openide/util/WeakListeners.html

used to call the remove method using reflection

Lookup API

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

Described in the overall answer.

Usage:

Nothing.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
LookupAPIOfficialorg-openide-util-lookup/org/openide/util/lookup/doc-files/lookup-api.html

allows the discovery

LookupSPIOfficialorg-openide-util-lookup/org/openide/util/lookup/doc-files/lookup-spi.html

simplifies creation and registration of own lookup objects

ProviderRegistrationRemovalDevel./org-openide-util/org/openide/util/doc-files/api.html#service-lookup
Lookups.metaInfServicesDevelorg-openide-util-lookup/org/openide/util/lookup/Lookups.html#metaInfServices-java.lang.ClassLoader-

calls constructor of registered classes using reflection

Lookup.resetDefaultLookupFriend

There is a static private method Lookup.resetDefaultLookup that is called by NbJUnit's MockServices to properly reset default lookup and fire changes to all registred listeners.

Utilities API

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

Described in the overall answer.

Usage:

Nothing.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
UtilitiesAPIOfficialorg-openide-util-ui/org/openide/util/doc-files/api.html
AWTBridgePrivatehttp://www.netbeans.org/source/browse/openide/util/src/org/netbeans/modules/openide/util/AWTBridge.java

a class that is looked up in Lookup.getDefault() and if registered can provide better UI elements for Actions.

SharedClassObject.setAccessibleDevelorg-openide-util-ui/org/openide/util/SharedClassObject.html

used to instantiate subclasses.

Window System API

javadoc | download | architecture | usecases

Window System API is used to display and control application GUI: Main window, frames, components.

Usage:

You might use OpenIDE-Module-Requires: org.openide.windows.WindowManager but it is not generally done.

Interface NameStability ClassificationSpecified in What Document?
WindowSystemAPIOfficialorg-openide-windows/org/openide/windows/doc-files/api.html
WindowSystemImplementationAPIFriend
DataFlavorDnDTopComponentPrivate

DataFlavor.javaJVMLocalObjectMimeType + "; class=org.openide.windows.TopComponent"

DataFlavorDnDTopComponent.CloneablePrivate

DataFlavor.javaJVMLocalObjectMimeType + "; class=org.openide.windows.TopComponent$Cloneable"

DataFlavorDnDTopComponentArrayPrivate

DataFlavor.javaJVMLocalObjectMimeType + "; class=org.netbeans.core.windows.dnd.TopComponentDragSupport$TopComponentArray"