Sun Microsystems has released NetBeans 5.5, the latest version of the company’s open-source Java integrated development environment (IDE), aiming to beef up the software’s productivity tools and improve its look and feel.NetBeans 5.5 is generally available for download at Sun’s website.Sun estimates that there have been more than 11 million downloads of NetBeans since its debut as open-source technology in June 2000. NetBeans competes against the open-source Eclipse Foundation’s Eclipse IDE in providing developers with the tools to build cross-platform desktop, enterprise, Web and mobile applications.New features in NetBeans 5.5 include Java Persistence application program interface and Java API for XML Web Services (JAX-WS) 2.0 productivity tools, and support for the open-source version-control system Subversion. Also in the new release of NetBeans are enhancements to its GUI builder, work previously carried out under the code name of Project Matisse. Sun also released five value-added packs for NetBeans 5.5, including a technology preview of NetBeans Visual Web Pack for developing applications using JavaServer Faces (JSF) as well as a beta version of NetBeans C/C++ Pack, which enables C or C++ developers to use NetBeans alongside their own compiler and tools. The NetBeans Enterprise Pack brings together tools for creating and testing service-oriented architecture applications.The vendor additionally announced the expansion of its NetBeans strategic partner program to feature increased technical support and more opportunities for members to co-market their software with Sun. Formally established in November of last year, the program is aimed at companies that build NetBeans add-ons and evangelize the IDE to their developers. Members include CollabNet, the JBoss division of Red Hat and Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications. NetBeans 5.5 runs on operating systems including Microsoft’s Windows, Linux, Apple Computer’s Mac OS X and Sun’s own flavor of Unix, Solaris. The software supports Sun’s Java Platform Enterprise Edition 5 as well as other versions of Java—Java Platform Standard Edition and Java Platform Micro Edition.Sun is midway through a plan to make all its software freely available, including its core Java technology. Last week, Jonathan Schwartz, Sun’s chief executive officer and president, committed to open-source Java within the next 30 to 60 days.-China Martens, IDG News Service (Boston Bureau)Related Links: Sun Microsystems Narrows Loss Significantly Sun Combines Virtualization Services into a Strategy Sun: OpenSparc Gaining TractionCheck out our CIO News Alerts and Tech Informer pages for more updated news coverage. Related content BrandPost How Infosys and Tennis Australia are harnessing technology for good By Veronica Lew Mar 26, 2023 6 mins Infosys BrandPost Retail innovation playbook: Fast, economical transformation on Microsoft Cloud For retailers, tight integration of data and systems is the antidote to a challenging economy. By Tata Consultancy Services Mar 24, 2023 3 mins Retail Industry Digital Transformation BrandPost How retailers are empowering business transformation with TCS and Microsoft Cloud AI-powered omnichannel integration and a strong, secure digital core lets retailers innovate across four primary areas while staying compliant, maintaining security and preventing fraud. By Tata Consultancy Services Mar 24, 2023 4 mins Retail Industry Cloud Computing BrandPost How to Build ROI from Cloud Migration This whitepaper and webcast can help you calculate the ROI and create a business case for modernizing your legacy applications to the Microsoft Cloud. By Tata Consultancy Services Mar 24, 2023 1 min Retail Industry Cloud Computing Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe