Setting up the CelsiusConverter Project
Step 1: Create a New Project
To create a new project, launch the NetBeans IDE and choose New Project from the File menu:
Creating a New Project
Step 2: Choose General -> Java Application
Next, select General from the Categories column, and Java Application from the Projects column:
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You may notice mention of "J2SE" in the description pane; that is the old name for what is now known as the "Java SE" platform. Press the button labeled "Next" to proceed.
Step 3: Set a Project Name
Now enter "CelsiusConverterProject" as the project name. You can leave the Project Location and Project Folder fields set to their default values, or click the Browse button to choose an alternate location on your system.
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Make sure to deselect the "Create Main Class" checkbox; leaving this option selected generates a new class as the main entry point for the application, but our main GUI window (created in the next step) will serve that purpose, so checking this box is not necessary. Click the "Finish" button when you are done.
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When the IDE finishes loading, you will see a screen similar to the above. All panes will be empty except for the Projects pane in the upper left hand corner, which shows the newly created project.
Step 4: Add a JFrame Form
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Now right-click the CelsiusConverterProject name and
choose New -> JFrame Form (JFrame is the Swing
class responsible for the main frame for your application.) You will learn how to designate
this class as the application's entry point later in this lesson.
Step 5: Name the GUI Class
Next, typeCelsiusConverterGUI as the class name, and
learn as the package name. You can actually name this package anything you want,
but here we are following the tutorial convention of naming the package after
the lesson in which is resides.
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The remainder of the fields should automatically be filled in, as shown above. Click the Finish button when you are done.
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When the IDE finishes loading, the right pane will display a
design-time, graphical view of the CelsiusConverterGUI.
It is on this screen that you will visually drag, drop, and manipulate
the various Swing components.
