Introduction to the Spring Web framework

This article describes how to install the Spring framework and how to run it in the NetBeans IDE. The Spring framework is a popular open source application framework that makes it easier to develop Java EE. It includes a container, a framework for managing components, and a set of snap-in (snap-in) services for Web user interfaces, transactions, and persistence.

This tutorial will take advantage of the Spring NetBeans Module written by Craig MacKay and guide you through the installation process with the Flash demo he has prepared. At the end of this tutorial, we will install a module in the IDE that can provide the following support for the Spring framework:

Web Framework Support (you can use the Spring framework option when creating a new Web application)

Spring XML Catalog (provides the XSD and DTD associated with spring to support the XML Code completion feature)

Integrated library Management (the libraries required to install the Spring framework, and other required libraries)

Hyperlink support in the Bean XML file (link bean to project artifact)

For more information about the Spring framework, visit the http://www.springframework.org. For more detailed information about how Spring framework artifacts work and how to interact with other objects in your application, visit the official Spring Framework reference documentation or see the Spring Framework APIs.

Many of the spring NetBeans Module features can also be applied to non-web-based spring framework applications. For more information about Spring NetBeans Module, visit http://spring-netbeans.sourceforge.net. If you are familiar with the spring framework, you are welcome to join the development of Spring NetBeans Module.

Get software

Before you begin, you need to download and install the following software on your computer:

NetBeans IDE 6.0 (download).

Spring NetBeans Module (download).

Note: To install and run NetBeans IDE 6.0, we also need Java SE Development Kit (JDK) version 5.0 or later. You can download the JDK version for your platform via the following link: http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index.jsp.

Installing modules

First, install the Spring NetBeans Module in the IDE:

Start the NetBeans IDE and select the Tools > Plugins option from the main menu. Plugins Manager opens in a new window.

Downloaded tab at the top of the options manager, and then click the Add Plugins button. In the Add Plugins dialog box, navigate to the store path after the Spring NetBeans module has been downloaded ... Select the module, and then click the OK button. Note that Plugins Manager has now identified the Spring Framework Support module.

Click the Install button. The NetBeans IDE Installer is opened, listing the Spring Framework Support plug-ins that will be installed. Click the Next button. Accept the displayed license Agreement, and Setup will automatically start downloading and verifying the plug-in installation. If the plug-in is not registered, you may need to accept a validation warning. Click the Continue button (the plug-in can be trusted). After the plug-in is successfully installed in the IDE, click the Finish button.