# README

## NetBeansTM IDE 5.5

NetBeans IDE is an integrated development environment (IDE) for writing, compiling, testing, and debugging applications for the JavaTM platform. NetBeans IDE includes a full-featured text editor with syntax highlighting and error checking, visual design tools, Ant support, version control system support, and many other features.

### To start the IDE (Microsoft Windows) use one of these methods:

- Double-click the NetBeans 5.5 icon on your desktop.
- Choose Start > All Programs > NetBeans 5.5 > NetBeans IDE.
- Start the IDE at the command line `C:\>` netbeans-install-directory`\bin\netbeans.exe`.

### To start the IDE (Solaris OS or Linux):

- Type at the command prompt: `/`netbeans-install-directory`/bin/netbeans`

### To stop the IDE:

- From the IDE, choose File > Exit.

### To uninstall the IDE (Microsoft Windows)

- Use the Add/Remove Programs utility. Do not manually delete the directories and files.

### To uninstall the IDE (Solaris OS or Linux)

Use the provided uninstaller found at `/`netbeans-install-directory`/_uninst`. Do not manually delete the directories and files.

### Finding Documentation for NetBeans IDE

- Release information on NetBeans IDE 5.5 can be found at at http://www.netbeans.org/community/releases/55/index.html.
- A short guide that covers the basic workflow in the IDE can be found at http://www.netbeans.org/kb/55/quickstart.html. This document also provides links to further documentation.
- Help documentation is available within the IDE. From the main menu, choose Help > Help Contents. The Help menu also provides links to other useful documents.

### NetBeans IDE user directory

A default user directory is created the first time you start the IDE. It is used to store your user settings, options and runtime data for personal development servers. On Microsoft Windows systems, this directory is generally found at `C:\Documents and Settings``\`user-id`\netbeans_user`. On Solaris and Linux, this directory is found at /$HOME`/netbeans_user`