NetBeans

NetBeans is a Java-based integrated development environment (IDE). The term also refers to the IDE’s underlying application platform framework. 

The IDE is designed to limit coding errors and facilitate error correction with tools such as the NetBeans FindBugs to locate and fix common Java coding problems and Debugger to manage complex code with field watches, breakpoints and execution monitoring. Although the NetBeans IDE is designed specifically for Java developers, it also supports C/C++, PHP, Groovy, and HTML5 in addition to Java, JavaScript and JavaFX. 

Tools and capabilities of the NetBeans IDE include a feature-rich text editor with refactoring tools and code templates, high level and granular views of applications, a drag and drop GUI design, and versioning using out-of-the-box integration with tools such as Git. The NetBeans IDE can run on any operating system that supports a compatible JVM including Linux, Windows and OS X. 

The underlying NetBeans platform supports creation of new applications and further development of existing applications using modular software components. As an application running on the NetBeans Platform, the NetBeans IDE itself is extensible and can be extended to support new languages. 

The IDE and Platform were converted to open source by Sun Microsystems in 2000. Oracle continues to sponsor the NetBeans project since acquiring Sun in 2010.