NetBeans IDE – a free integrated application development environment (IDE) for the programming language Java, Ruby, C++ and some others.
IDE NetBeans by default, supports the development for platforms J2SE and J2EE. For the programming environment and NetBeans at the whole, must be pre-installed Sun JDK or J2EE SDK appropriate version. To support development in the NetBeans environment for mobile platforms (J2ME) must be installed separately circulated NetBeans Mobility Pack.
NetBeans IDE is supported and sponsored by Sun Microsystems, but NetBeans is independently developed by community of developers, enthusiasts (NetBeans Community) and the company NetBeans Org.Quality and capabilities of the latest version of NetBeans IDE is not inferior to the best business (paying) integrated development environment for java, such as IntelliJ IDEA, supporting refactoring, profiling, providing syntax highlighting color, auto recruited designs on the fly, many predefined templates code, etc.
In the version of NetBeans IDE 6.0 is declared support for UML, SOA, a programming language Ruby (including support for Ruby on Rails), as well as a means to create applications for J2ME for mobile phones. NetBeans IDE supports plug-ins, allowing developers to empower IDE.Sun commercial integrated development environment for Java – Sun Java Studio Creator, Sun Java Studio Enterprise and Sun Studio are based on ideas, technologies and in large part on the source code of NetBeans IDE.

Eclipse – a free framework for the development of modular cross-platform applications (developed and maintained by Eclipse Foundation).
Eclipse first full-fledged Java IDE, aimed at the development group. Eclipse fitted with the means to work with version control systems (CVS support is included in the supply of Eclipse, is actively developing several options SVN modules, there is support for VSS and others). Because Eclipse can be downloaded at no cost, in many organizations Eclipse – a corporate standard for application development.
The second appointment Eclipse – a platform to develop new extensions (which won popularity – any developer can extend their Eclipse modules). These were C / C++ Development Tools (CDT), developed by engineers QNX together with IBM, COBOL, FORTRAN, PHP tools from various developers. Many extensions to work with databases, application servers, etc are included in Eclipse.
With version 3.0 Eclipse is not monolithic IDE, supports the expansion, a set of extensions. At the Eclipse core framework based on OSGi and SWT / JFace, through which developed the next layer – a platform for the development of full-client applications RCP (Rich Client Platform – (s rich-client applications). Platform RCP is the basis for RCP-applications such as Azareus and File Arranger.
The next layer – platform Eclipse, is a set of extensions RCP – editors, panels, prospects, CVS module and the module Java Development Tools (JDT).
Eclipse is written on Java, so it is a platform-independent product, with the exception of the library SWT, which is being developed for all major platforms. In the Eclipse SWT library is used instead of “slow” swing and depends entirely on the lower platform (operating system) that provides fast and natural appearance of the user interface.

Intelligent integrated development environment for Java, focusing on developer productivity, which ensures a stable combination of advanced tools.
IntelliJ offers the following functionality:

Intelligent assistance in coding:

A strong editor, which recognizes Java, HTML / XHTML, XML / XSL, CSS, Ruby and JavaScript, support structures like Rails and GWT, providing you good environment for coding. Regardless of what language you use, expanded the provision of the code, validation, formatting and modeling – always in your hands.

Navigation and search:

Expanded project navigating the structure of the code in Intellij simplifies the analysis of even large files, providing a convenient way to view them. Search recognizes elements of languages, showing the results of an interactive navigation bar, helping you analyze all the files found.

Numerous refaсtoring:

The rich set of refactorings Intellij covers virtually every aspect of the conversion code, and allows you to effectively maintain and upgrade projects. All refactorings support languages and technology Java, XML, JSP, EJB, Java script and Ruby and flexible management code.

Analysis code:

Built-analyzer dynamic code Intellij with more than 600 kinds of verification, performs on the fly code analysis and detects common syntax errors, plus other errors that were found during compilation. Statistical analysis of the code reveals the critical parameters of the “dead” code, warped dependency and other problems with the software. IntelliJ IDEA provides you an automatic solution to detect all errors.

Compiling, implementation, debugging:

IntelliJ IDEA supports multiple Java compilers (javac, jikes, eclipse). You can compile projects using your favorite compiler, without the need for an integrated development environment. IntelliJ IDEA comprises the best of the generation JPDA debugger, with simple and intuitive user interface. Unique technology Intellij – HotSwap, allows you to modify and re-compile parts of the code during the process of debugging, without having to start the whole process.

JDK – distributed free by Sun Kit application developer in the language of Java. JDK includes a compiler Java (javac), the standard class library Java, examples, documentation and various tools and executive system Java (JRE). IDE is not a part of JDK, so developers using only JDK, forced to use an external editor and compile their programs by using the command-line utilities.
All modern integrated development environment for Java, such as NetBeans, Sun Java Studio Creator, IntelliJ IDEA, Borland JBuilder, based on the services provided by JDK, and have to compile Java programming compiler command line with your JDK. Therefore, the development environment, other include in the kit a version of JDK, or demand for its pre-install JDK on the machine developer.
Since then, some of the company Sun provides complete source code JDK, including the source of the Java compiler. You can download the latest version of JDK on official site java.