Lab Sheet 2: Introduction to IDE

Arzath AreeffArzath Areeff
3 min read

Lab 1: Introduction to NetBeans IDE

Objective: Familiarize yourself with the NetBeans IDE and its features.

Task 1: Installation and Setup

  1. Download and install NetBeans IDE from https://netbeans.apache.org/download/index.html.

  2. Launch NetBeans and create a new Java project named Lab1_HelloWorld.

  3. Write a simple Java program to print "Hello, World!" in the main method.

     public class HelloWorld {
         public static void main(String[] args) {
             System.out.println("Hello, World!");
         }
     }
    
  4. Run the program and observe the output.

Task 2: Exploring IDE Features

  1. Use the Syntax Highlighting feature to identify keywords, variables, and strings in your code.

  2. Introduce a Syntax Error (e.g., remove a semicolon) and observe how NetBeans underlines the error with a red wavy line.

  3. Hover over the error to see the explanation provided by the IDE.


Lab 2: Version Control with Git in NetBeans

Objective: Learn to use Git for version control in NetBeans.

Task 1: Initialize a Repository

  1. Create a new Java project named Lab4_VersionControl.

  2. Right-click the project and select Versioning > Initialize Git Repository.

  3. Commit the initial project state with the message "Initial commit".

    %[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TUAYiu2jej4]

This tutorial video is based on PHP, but you can practice this concept Init, Commit, Revert with Java

Task 2: Commit and View History

  1. Make a small change to the project (e.g., add a new class or modify an existing file).

  2. Right-click the project and select Git > Commit.

  3. Add a commit message (e.g., "Added new class") and commit the changes.

  4. View the commit history by selecting Git > Show History.

Task 3: Revert a Commit

  1. Make another change to the project and commit it.

  2. Revert to the previous commit by selecting Git > Revert from the history view.


Lab 3: Handling Errors

Objective: Identify and fix syntax, logical, and runtime errors.

Task 1: Syntax Errors

  1. Write the following code with intentional syntax errors:

     public class SyntaxErrorExample {
         public static void main(String[] args) {
             int x = 10
             System.out.println("Value of x: " + x)
         }
     }
    
  2. Use NetBeans to identify and fix the errors.

Task 2: Logical Errors

  1. Write a program to calculate the average of three numbers but introduce a logical error (e.g., divide by 2 instead of 3).

     public class LogicalErrorExample {
         public static void main(String[] args) {
             int a = 10, b = 20, c = 30;
             int average = (a + b + c) / 2; // Logical error
             System.out.println("Average: " + average);
         }
     }
    
  2. Debug the program to identify and fix the logical error.

Task 3: Runtime Errors

  1. Write a program that causes a runtime error (e.g., divide by zero).

     public class RuntimeErrorExample {
         public static void main(String[] args) {
             int a = 10, b = 0;
             int result = a / b; // Runtime error
             System.out.println("Result: " + result);
         }
     }
    
  2. Use exception handling to prevent the program from crashing.


Lab 4: Advanced Features

Objective: Explore advanced features like refactoring and build automation.

Task 1: Refactoring

  1. Create a class with a poorly named method (e.g., calc()).

  2. Use the Refactor feature to rename the method to calculateSum().

  3. Observe how all references to the method are updated automatically.

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Written by

Arzath Areeff
Arzath Areeff

I co-founded digizen.lk to promote online safety and critical thinking. Currently, I’m developing an AI app to fight misinformation. As Founder and CEO of ideaGeek.net, I help turn startup dreams into reality, and I share tech insights and travel stories on my YouTube channels, TechNomad and Rz Omar.