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    <h1>NetBeans Options Window Module Tutorial</h1>
    
    <p>This tutorial demonstrates how to extend the Options window.</p>

       <p><strong class="notes">Note: </strong>This document uses the NetBeans IDE 6.8 Release and is valid
           for releases after that. If you
    are using an earlier version, see <a href="67/nbm-options.html">the 6.7 version
        of this document</a>.</p>
     
     <p><b>Contents</b></p>
   
   <p><img src="../../images/articles/69/netbeans-stamp7-8-9.png" class="stamp" width="114" height="114" alt="Content on this page applies to NetBeans IDE 6.5, 6.7, 6.8" title="Content on this page applies to NetBeans IDE 6.5, 6.7, 6.8"/></p>
      <ul class="toc">
        <li><a href="#intro">Introduction to Options Window Extensions</a></li>
        <li><a href="#creatingthemoduleproject">Creating the Module Project</a></li>
        <li><a href="#creatingandgettingtoknowthemainfiles">Extending the Options Window</a></li>
        <li><a href="#creatingandgettingtoknowthemainfiles">Building and Installing the Module</a></li>
        <li><a href="#creatingandgettingtoknowthemainfiles">Storing and Loading Preferences</a></li>
       </ul>
         
<p><b>To follow this tutorial, you need the software and resources listed in the following 
table.</b></p>

     <table>
        <tbody>
            <tr>
                <th class="tblheader" scope="col">Software or Resource</th>
                <th class="tblheader" scope="col">Version Required</th>
            </tr>
            <tr>
                <td class="tbltd1"><a href="https://netbeans.org/downloads/index.html">NetBeans IDE</a></td>
                <td class="tbltd1">version 6.8 or above</td>
            </tr>
            <tr>
                <td class="tbltd1"><a href="http://java.sun.com/javase/downloads/index.jsp">Java Developer Kit (JDK)</a></td>
                <td class="tbltd1">Version 6</td>
            </tr>
        </tbody>
    </table>

    <h2 class="tutorial"><a name="intro"></a>Introduction to Options Window Extensions</h2>
    
    <p>Whether you
    are creating a plugin for NetBeans IDE or for another application, there
    is a good chance that you want the user to be able to specify settings,
    such as the location of an external file. The Options window offers a
    centralized location for all such settings. In the IDE, the Options window
    is found under the Tools menu and looks as follows:</p>
    
    <p><img src="../../images/tutorials/options/nbm-options-65-1.png" alt="Primary Panel"/></p>
    
    <p>The NetBeans APIs give you access to the Options window in two different ways. In the
    first case, you can add a new main panel to the Options window. Using this approach, your
    module will add a new 'primary' panel to the Options window, similar to the 'General' panel
    or 'Editor' panel shown in the screenshot above. Your panel will, just like these panels,
    have a name and an image in the top of the Options window, together with its settings in
    the body of the panel. In the second case, the NetBeans APIs allow you to add a new subpanel
    within the Miscellaneous panel, as shown below:</p>
    
    <p><img src="../../images/tutorials/options/nbm-options-65-2.png" alt="Misc Panel"/></p>
    
    <p>In this case, your new subpanel will have its own tab, just like "Ant" or "Diff" above, together
    with the settings within a panel in the body of the Options window extension.
    Whether you add your user settings within a new primary panel or within a tab in the
    Miscellaneous panel is completely up to you. Factors that might influence your
    decision are purely personal and a question of your own taste.</p>
    
    <p>At the end of this tutorial, the Options window will be extended with a new panel.
    In addition, you will be shown how to use the NetBeans <tt><a href="http://bits.netbeans.org/dev/javadoc/org-openide-util/org/openide/util/NbPreferences.html">NbPreferences</a></tt> class to store and
    use the settings that the user specifies in your Options window extension.</p>
    
    <h2 class="tutorial"><a name="creatingthemoduleproject"></a>Creating the Module Project</h2>
    
    <p>We begin by working through the New Module Project
    wizard. At the end of it, we will have a basic
    source structure, with some default files, that
    every NetBeans module requires.</p>

    <ol>
    <li>Choose File &gt; New Project (Ctrl+Shift+N). Under Categories, select NetBeans Modules.
        Under Projects, select Module. Click Next.</li>
    <li>In the Name and Location panel, type <tt>CoolOptions</tt> in the Project Name field.
        Change the Project Location to any directory on your computer. Leave the Standalone Module option
        and Set as Main Project checkbox selected. Click Next.</li>
    <li>In the Basic Module Configuration panel, type <tt>org.netbeans.modules.cooloptions</tt>
        in Code Name Base.</li>
    <li>Do not select "Generate XML Layer", because you do not need a layer file in this scenario.
        Leave the
        location of the localizing bundle so that it will be stored in a package with
        the name <tt>org/netbeans/modules/cooloptions</tt>. Click Finish.</li>
</ol>
    
    
    <p> The IDE creates the <tt>CoolOptions</tt>
        project. The project contains all of your sources and project
    metadata, such as the project's Ant build script. The project opens in the IDE. You can view its logical
    structure in the Projects window (Ctrl+1) and its file structure in the Files window (Ctrl+2).</p>
    
    
    <!-- ===================================    ================================================== -->
    <h2><a name="creatingandgettingtoknowthemainfiles"></a>Extending the Options Window</h2>
    <p>Now that we have a module project, which gives us our source structure,
        we simply run through another wizard that will create the NetBeans API implementation
        of an Options window extension. In the wizard, you simply
        need to specify the type of panel you want to have generated, either a primary
        panel or a miscellaneous panel, and then the wizard will
        generate all the required classes and <tt>layer.xml</tt> registration
        details for you.</p>
        
        
        <ol>
        
        <li>Right-click the "CoolOptions" project node and
        choose New &gt; Other. Under Categories, select Module Development. Under File Types, 
    select Options Panel. You should now see the following:
    
    <p><img src="../../images/tutorials/options/nb68-options-1.png" alt="Options template."/></p>
    
    <p>Click Next.</p></li>
    <li>In the next panel, specify the type of panel that you want to create and fill
    in the information required. Initially, this panel looks as follows:
    
    <p><img src="../../images/tutorials/options/nb68-options-2.png" alt="Options template."/></p>
    
    <p>In this tutorial, we assume that we are creating a Miscellaneous Panel, which will
        therefore extend <a href="http://bits.netbeans.org/dev/javadoc/org-netbeans-modules-options-api/org/netbeans/spi/options/AdvancedOption.html">org.netbeans.spi.options.AdvancedOption</a>.</p>
     <p>Fill in the above dialog with the following details:</p>
    
    <ul>
        <li><b>Title.</b> Cool Options</li>
        <li><b>Keywords.</b> cool</li>
    </ul>
         <p>You should now see the following:</p>
         <p><img src="../../images/tutorials/options/nb68-options-3.png" alt="Options template."/></p>
         <p>Click Next.</p></li>
    
    <li>In the Location panel, you can set the prefix of the classes that will
        be generated and the package where they will be placed. Change the Class Name
    Prefix to "Cool" and leave the package name unchanged. Click Finish.</li></ol>
        
        <p>The Projects window should now look as follows:</p>
        
        <p><img src="../../images/tutorials/options/nbm-options-65-6.png" alt="Initial Projects window."/></p>
        

        <p>Open the <tt>CoolOptionsPanelController</tt> class and notice that it has this content:</p>

<pre>package org.netbeans.modules.cooloptions;

import java.beans.PropertyChangeListener;
import java.beans.PropertyChangeSupport;
import javax.swing.JComponent;
import org.netbeans.spi.options.OptionsPanelController;
import org.openide.util.HelpCtx;
import org.openide.util.Lookup;

@OptionsPanelController.SubRegistration(location = "Advanced",
displayName = "#AdvancedOption_DisplayName_Cool",
keywords = "#AdvancedOption_Keywords_Cool",
keywordsCategory = "Advanced/Cool")
public final class CoolOptionsPanelController extends <a href="http://bits.netbeans.org/dev/javadoc/org-netbeans-modules-options-api/org/netbeans/spi/options/OptionsPanelController.html">OptionsPanelController</a> {

    private CoolPanel panel;
    private final PropertyChangeSupport pcs = new PropertyChangeSupport(this);
    private boolean changed;

    public void update() {
        getPanel().load();
        changed = false;
    }

    public void applyChanges() {
        getPanel().store();
        changed = false;
    }

    public void cancel() {
        // need not do anything special, if no changes have been persisted yet
    }

    public boolean isValid() {
        return getPanel().valid();
    }

    public boolean isChanged() {
        return changed;
    }

    public HelpCtx getHelpCtx() {
        return null; // new HelpCtx("...ID") if you have a help set
    }

    public JComponent getComponent(Lookup masterLookup) {
        return getPanel();
    }

    public void addPropertyChangeListener(PropertyChangeListener l) {
        pcs.addPropertyChangeListener(l);
    }

    public void removePropertyChangeListener(PropertyChangeListener l) {
        pcs.removePropertyChangeListener(l);
    }

    private CoolPanel getPanel() {
        if (panel == null) {
            panel = new CoolPanel(this);
        }
        return panel;
    }

    void changed() {
        if (!changed) {
            changed = true;
            pcs.firePropertyChange(OptionsPanelController.PROP_CHANGED, false, true);
        }
        pcs.firePropertyChange(OptionsPanelController.PROP_VALID, null, null);
    }

}</pre>

        <p>In addition, a new <tt>JPanel</tt> has been created, for the layout of your new panel.</p>
        
        
        
        <!-- ======================================================================================= -->
            
        <h2><a name="building"></a>Building and Installing the Module</h2>
        <p>We have done no coding whatsoever, but we can already try out our module. When we do so
            we will simply see our new panel, integrated with the other panels in the Options window. In subsequent
        sections, we will add Swing components that will enable the user to enter and store their settings.</p>
        <div class="indent">
            
            <h3 class="tutorial"><a name="installing-the-nbm"></a>Installing the NetBeans Module</h3>
            
            <p>In the Projects window, right-click the <tt>CoolOptions</tt> project and choose Run.</p>
            <p>The module is built and installed in a new instance of the target NetBeans Platform.
            The target NetBeans Platform opens so that you
                can try out your new module.</p> 
            
            <h3 class="tutorial"><a name="using-the-nbm"></a>Using the NetBeans Module</h3>
            
            <p>In this section, we take on the role of the user. After a user
                installs our module, they would typically take the steps outlined below to
                specify a setting in the Options window.</p>
                
                <ol>
                    <li>Choose Tools &gt; Options from the main menu. The Options window opens.</li>
            
            <li>Select the Miscellaneous panel
            and notice that your new "Cool Options" panel has been
            integrated there:
        
                <p><img src="../../images/tutorials/options/nbm-options-65-7.png" alt="Options window installed 1."/></p></li>

            <li>Close the Options window. Press Ctrl-I and then type the keyword you defined earlier:
                <p><img src="../../images/tutorials/options/nbm-options-65-8.png" alt="Options window installed 1."/></p>
            <p>You should then be
             able to click on the returned item to open the Options window. In addition,
             the specific category that you created should be opened.</p></li>

            </ol>
            
            <p>In the next section, we add a text field and button to the panel and
            we learn how to store the user's setting when the Options window closes.
            Then we learn how to load the setting and use it, when appropriate, in the module's code.</p>
            
        </div>
        
        <!-- ======================================================================================= -->
            
        <h2><a name="tweaking"></a>Storing and Loading Preferences</h2>
        
        <p>In this section, we begin by designing the Options window extension.
            Using the GUI Builder, we add a <tt>JPanel</tt>, a <tt>JTextField</tt>, 
            and a <tt>JLabel</tt>. Then we install the module again and we see
            the result. Next, we begin coding. Using the NetBeans <tt><a href="http://bits.netbeans.org/dev/javadoc/org-openide-util/org/openide/util/NbPreferences.html">NbPreferences</a></tt> class,
            we store the value entered by the user. Storage of preferences is done
            in the user directory. Then we load the preference into an appropriate place
        in our code.</p>
        
        
        <div class="indent">
            <h3 class="tutorial"><a name="icon"></a>Designing the Panel</h3>
            
            <p>First, let's add some Swing components to the panel, to give
                the user a means of setting a preference.</p>

            <ol>
                <li>Make the panel in the Design view of <tt>CoolPanel.java</tt> larger, so
                that you have room to manoeuvre.</li>
                <li>Drag and drop a <tt>JPanel</tt>, a <tt>JTextField</tt>, and a <tt>JLabel</tt>
                onto the panel. Add a titled border, containing the text "Details",
                to the <tt>JPanel</tt>. Change the text of the <tt>JLabel</tt> to "Name".
                You should now see the following:
                <p><img src="../../images/tutorials/options/nbm-options-65-9.png" alt="Options design"/></p></li>
                <li>Install the module again. In the Options window, you should now see the following:
                    <p><img src="../../images/tutorials/options/nbm-options-65-10.png" alt="Options design"/></p></li>
            </ol>
            <p>You have now designed the new Options panel. In the next section, we'll add logic
            to the panel so that the text in the text field will be stored when the Options window
            closes.</p>
                
        <h3 class="tutorial"><a name="sources"></a>Storing Preferences</h3>
        <p>In this section, we add code that will store the preference after the user clicks OK in the Options window.</p>

        <ol>        
            <li>Look in the source of the <tt>CoolPanel</tt> class. You should see the <tt>store()</tt> method defined as follows:
            
            <pre class="examplecode">void store() {
    // TODO store modified settings
    // Example:
    // Preferences.userNodeForPackage(CoolPanel.class).putBoolean("someFlag", someCheckBox.isSelected());
    // or for org.openide.util with API spec. version >= 7.4:
    // NbPreferences.forModule(CoolPanel.class).putBoolean("someFlag", someCheckBox.isSelected());
    // or:
    // SomeSystemOption.getDefault().setSomeStringProperty(someTextField.getText());
 }</pre>
            
            <p>The comments in the code present the three ways in which preferences can be stored. The first uses
            the JDK's Preferences API. The second uses the NetBeans IDE 6.x+ NetBeans <tt><a href="http://bits.netbeans.org/dev/javadoc/org-openide-util/org/openide/util/NbPreferences.html">NbPreferences</a></tt> class. The third
            uses the pre-6.0 System Option class. The third approach is deprecated, while the first does not
            store preferences in the application's user directory. The second approach, the NetBeans <tt><a href="http://bits.netbeans.org/dev/javadoc/org-openide-util/org/openide/util/NbPreferences.html">NbPreferences</a></tt> class,
            is the recommended approach. The NetBeans <tt><a href="http://bits.netbeans.org/dev/javadoc/org-openide-util/org/openide/util/NbPreferences.html">NbPreferences</a></tt> class is based on the JDK's Preferences API, but is
            tailored towards NetBeans applications, in that it stores preferences in the application's user
            directory, which is a convenient place to store them since all other user customizations for your application
            are stored there too.</p></li>
            
            <li>In the <tt>store()</tt> method, delete all the comments and add this line:
            
            <pre class="examplecode">NbPreferences.forModule(CoolPanel.class).put("namePreference", jTextField1.getText());</pre>
            
            <p>Press Alt-Enter in the line. Let the IDE specify an import statement for the
                NetBeans API package called <tt>org.openide.util.NbPreferences</tt>.</p></li>
            
            <li>Install the module again. Type a name in your Options window extension panel:
            
                <p><img src="../../images/tutorials/options/nbm-options-65-11.png" alt="Typing a name"/></p></li>
            
            <li>Click OK. Switch to the Files window (Ctrl-2). Expand the application's <tt>build</tt>
                folder. Look in the application's user directory,
                within the <tt>config</tt> folder.
                In the <tt>config</tt>  folder, you should find a folder called <tt>Preferences</tt>, containing
            a properties file for your Options window.
            Open the folder and notice that the preference has been stored there:
            
            <p><img src="../../images/tutorials/options/nbm-options-65-12.png" alt="Preferences folder"/></p></li>
            
        </ol>
                
        <h3 class="tutorial"><a name="sources"></a>Loading Preferences</h3>
        <p>In this section, we add code that will load the preference. We want the
     preference, in this case "Harry Potter", to be loaded into at least two places.
  First, we want the preference to be loaded into the Options window when the application
 restarts. Secondly, we want to be able to use the preference somewhere in our module. After
 all, the reason why a preference is set is so that it can be used somewhere else in the code.
 Finally, we also need to handle the situation where the preference changes. In that case,
 we need to add a preference listener and use the new value in our code, once the value changes.</p>

        <ol>        
            <li>Look in the source of the <tt>CoolPanel</tt> class. You should see the <tt>load()</tt> method,
                defined with comments, similar to those discussed in the previous section.</li>
            
            <li>In the <tt>load()</tt> method, delete all the comments and replace them with the following:
            
            <pre class="examplecode">jTextField1.setText(NbPreferences.forModule(CoolPanel.class).get("namePreference", ""));</pre>   
        
            <p>Now, when you restart the application, the preference is loaded into the Options window.</p>

            <p>Next, we will create a new <tt>TopComponent</tt>. We will only do so to demonstrate
            how a preference is used. Instead of a <tt>TopComponent</tt>, you could use any other Java class
            to use your preference. In other words, this is just an example of using a user's preference
            in the context of a module.</p></li>
            
            <li>Right-click the module project and choose New Window Component. Call the Window Component
            whatever you like and position it anywhere you want it to be. When you have created it,
            add a <tt>JTextField</tt> to the <tt>TopComponent</tt>. This is where we will display the user's
            preference.</li>
            
            <li>Switch to the <tt>TopComponent's</tt> Source view and add the following lines
            to the end of the constructor:
            
<pre class="examplecode">Preferences pref = NbPreferences.forModule(CoolPanel.class);
String name = pref.get("namePreference", "");

pref.addPreferenceChangeListener(new PreferenceChangeListener() {
    public void preferenceChange(PreferenceChangeEvent evt) {
        if (evt.getKey().equals("namePreference")) {
            jTextField1.setText(evt.getNewValue());
        }
    }
});

jTextField1.setText(name);</pre></li>

        <li>Install the module again.
  
        <p>Whenever the application restarts, the current preference in the Options window
            is shown in the <tt>TopComponent</tt>. And whenever you change the preference in
            the Options window, the <tt>TopComponent</tt> immediately reflects the new value,
            as soon as OK is clicked in the Options window.</p></li>
        </ol>

        
        <p>Congratulations! You have successfully completed the Options Window Module Tutorial.
            You now know how to provide the functionality needed for users to set your module's options.</p>
        
            
    </div>
    
    
        <p><br/></p>
    <div class="feedback-box"><a href="https://netbeans.org/about/contact_form.html?to=3&amp;subject=Feedback:%20Options%20Window%20Module%20Tutorial">Send Us Your Feedback</a></div>
    <p><br style="clear:both;" /></p>
    <!-- ======================================================================================== -->
    
    <h2><a name="nextsteps"></a>Next Steps</h2>
    
    <p>For more information about creating and developing NetBeans modules, see the following resources:</p>
    <ul>
        <li><a href="https://netbeans.org/kb/trails/platform.html">Other Related Tutorials</a></li>
        <li><a href="https://netbeans.org/download/dev/javadoc/">NetBeans API Javadoc</a></li>
    </ul>
    
    <!-- ======================================================================================== -->
    
    
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