Prerequisites

Before you can develop a client application for the Blackberry using NetBeans IDE, you must install the following software on a Microsoft Windows system:

• The Java Development Kit (JDK), version 5 or 6. Set your JAVA_HOME and PATH environment variables to point to your installation of JDK 5 or JDK 6.

• BlackBerry Java Development Environment (BlackBerry JDE) v4.2.1

  Go to http://na.blackberry.com/eng/developers/javaappdev/javadevenv.jsp, then download and install BlackBerry JDE v4.2.1. This is the only version that is compatible with current versions of NetBeans IDE. BlackBerry JDE runs only on Windows systems.

• BlackBerry Email and MDS Services Simulator Package v4.1.4

  Go to http://na.blackberry.com/eng/developers/browserdev/devtoolsdownloads.jsp, then download and install the BlackBerry Email and MDS Services Simulator Package v4.1.4.

• NetBeans IDE 6.1

  Go to http://www.netbeans.org/, then download and install NetBeans IDE 6.1. BlackBerry client application development has been thoroughly tested only with this version of NetBeans IDE.

  On the NetBeans download page, select All as the version to download. When you install NetBeans IDE, click Customize to install only some of the components. Select the following:

  • Base IDE

  • Java SE

  • Web and Java EE

  • Mobility

  Do not select a runtime, since you are using the MEP version of Application Server.

You must have a BlackBerry Developer Community account in order to download the BlackBerry software. If you do not have an account, follow the instructions on the website to obtain one.