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.

• NetBeans IDE 6.5

  Go to http://www.netbeans.org/, then download and install NetBeans IDE 6.5. BlackBerry client application development has been thoroughly tested only with this version of NetBeans IDE.

  On the NetBeans download page, select Java as the bundle to download. This bundle includes Java SE, Web and Java EE, and Java ME. When you install NetBeans IDE, click Customize to install only some of the components. Deselect all of the listed runtimes, since you are using the Sun GlassFish Mobility Platform version of Sun GlassFish Enterprise Server.

• 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.

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.