Sun Microsystems Acquires NetBeans, a Leading Supplier of Java-Based IDE for Linux - Company Business and Marketing

NetBeans development tools are a complementary extension to the Java platform providing developers from entry level to professionals with a powerful, customizable environment for developing web applications for the Internet and intranet. NetBeans Developer visually extends the Java Development Kit (JDK) and includes integrated visual design, editing, compilation, and debugging tools. NetBeans software is based on an open API, which provides an extensible platform for development of third party, customizable, modular tools for the Java platform. The current tools suite supports the Java 2 platform including JavaServer Pages, Servlet, XML, CORBA, RMI and JDBC technologies platform.

"With more than 100,000 downloads, NetBeans is well positioned to be a leading entry level Java technology IDE on the market," said Stanek. "Being acquired by Sun now gives us the industry visibility and additional resources required to make the NetBeans Developer IDE the portal of choice for software developers who need to get productive fast."

"The acquisition is a good move for both Sun and NetBeans," said Mark Driver, research director for GartnerGroup's E-Business Technologies. "Sun has acquired an important piece of the Java tools puzzle and NetBeans now has the Sun resources to be better positioned as a competitive force in the market."