Apache NetBeans 25: The Ultimate Open-Source IDE for Modern Development

Apache NetBeans is a powerful, open-source, and award-winning Integrated Development Environment (IDE) that supports a wide range of programming languages and frameworks.

It is widely used for developing Java-based web, mobile, and desktop applications, as well as for C/C++, PHP, and other languages. With its rich feature set, extensibility through plugins, and support for the latest technologies, NetBeans remains a top choice for developers across platforms like Windows, Linux, and macOS.

The latest release is Apache NetBeans 25, which brings improved performance, enhanced tools, and support for the latest Java and other technologies.

This article will guide you through the steps to install Apache NetBeans 25 on Debian, Ubuntu, and Linux Mint distributions.

Key Features of Apache NetBeans 25

• It adds compatibility with PHP 8.4, the latest version of PHP, enabling developers to use new language features and improvements.
• The IDE now supports parallel testing, allowing developers to run multiple tests simultaneously, which speeds up the testing process.
• Enhanced Gradle support makes it easier to manage and build projects, a popular build automation tool.
• As with most updates, it likely includes performance optimizations and bug fixes for a smoother development experience.
• The update may introduce new tools or plugins to enhance productivity, especially for PHP and Java developers.
• Expect UI improvements, such as better themes, font rendering, or workflow optimizations.
• The release likely addresses known issues from previous versions, improving overall stability.

Requirements:

• A desktop machine with at least 2GB of RAM (4GB recommended).
• JDK 17 or JDK 21 is required to run Apache NetBeans.

Step 1: Install Java Development Kit (JDK)

To install the most recent stable version of Apache NetBeans, first, you need to install Java JDK (JDK 17 or JDK 21) from the default repositories as shown.

sudo apt update
sudo apt install openjdk-17-jdk
OR
sudo apt install openjdk-21-jdk
java -version

Step 2: Download and Install Apache NetBeans

Now visit the official Apache NetBeans download page and download the .deb installer package using the following wget command.

wget https://dlcdn.apache.org/netbeans/netbeans-installers/25/apache-netbeans_25-1_all.deb

Once the download is complete, install the .deb package using the dpkg command as shown.

sudo dpkg -i apache-netbeans_25-1_all.deb

Once installed, you can launch NetBeans from the application menu or by running the following command in the terminal.

netbeans

Step 3: Getting Started with Apache NetBeans

When you first launch NetBeans, you’ll see the Start Page with options to create a new project, open an existing project, or learn more about NetBeans.

Here’s a quick overview of the interface:

• Menu Bar: Contains all the options for file management, editing, debugging, and more.
• Toolbar: Provides quick access to common actions like running, debugging, and saving projects.
• Projects Window: Displays your current projects and their structure.
• Editor Window: Where you write and edit your code.
• Navigator Window: Helps you navigate through classes, methods, and variables.
• Output Window: Shows build outputs, debug messages, and runtime logs.

Creating Your First Project

Let’s create a simple Java project by going to File –> New Project, select Java with Ant under the Java category and choose Java Application, and click Next.

Enter a project name (e.g., MyFirstProject) and specify the project location (or leave it as the default). Optionally, check Create Main Class and provide a name (e.g., Main).

Click Finish.

Write Your First Code

In the Projects window, expand your project and open the MyFirstProject.java file under Source Packages.

You’ll see a basic main method, here add a simple print statement:

public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        System.out.println("Hello, NetBeans!");
    }
}

Right-click on the project in the Projects window and select Run. Alternatively, click the green Run button in the toolbar.

The Output window will display:

Conclusion

You’re now ready to use Apache NetBeans 25 for your development projects! Whether you’re building Java applications, working with PHP, or exploring other languages, NetBeans provides a robust and user-friendly environment to streamline your workflow.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to use the comment form below to ask or share your thoughts with us. For detailed guides and tutorials, visit the official Apache NetBeans Documentation.