Development tools - News, Features, and Slideshows

News

• New NetBeans offers Java 7

  Developers will be able to test-drive the next generation Java programming language by using the new version of Oracle's NetBeans IDE (integrated developer environment), released Wednesday.

• HP gives developers access to SDK for WebOS TouchPad

  Hewlett-Packard is giving developers early access to the webOS 3.0 SDK (Software Development Kit), hoping that they will start working on applications for the company's upcoming TouchPad tablet, the company said in a blog post on Wednesday.

• ISO finalizes C++ update

  The widely used C++ programming language is about to be updated, as the ISO steering committee for the language has approved the final draft specifying its next version.

• Oracle asks for help planning JDK 8

  Oracle wants help in figuring out what should go into Java Development Kit 8, the next-generation development platform for the programming language.

• Eclipse offers hosted access to Web dev tools effort

  The Eclipse Foundation is offering on Monday beta access to a hosted version of the organization's planned Orion platform for building and integrating Web development tools.

• Five best practices for test and development projects in the Cloud

  Application test and development projects are a natural starting place for companies moving to use cloud computing services. Forrester Research's James Staten discusses how to tell if your project is a good match for the cloud.

• Opera releases Web page debugger

  Opera Software has embedded into its Web browser a beta set of tools, collectively called Dragonfly, that can help developers find errors in their complex Web pages, the company announced Monday.

• Twitter clamps down on client apps

  Developers working on client applications that replicate Twitter.com's basic user functionality should turn their efforts elsewhere, because the company doesn't want any more such apps on the market.

• Oracle releases Java mobile development framework

  Oracle has released a mobile client and associated framework, nearly two years in the making, to help developers quickly build Java applications for industrial mobile devices.

• VMware buys WaveMaker, aims to ease app development

  VMware said on Tuesday it had acquired WaveMaker, the creator of open-source software that lets non-developers build Java Web applications.

• Developers like Tweet Button, want better analytics

  Developers and publishers who have adopted Twitter's Tweet Button say the tool is beneficial in letting their site readers and application users conveniently share links on Twitter, but that some features can be improved, including its analytics data and mobile functionality.

• Sony Ericsson woos developers ahead of Xperia Play launch

  Sony Ericsson is doing its best to attract developers who can create games tailor-made for its upcoming Xperia Play smartphone, working with third-party tool makers to simplify the development process.

• Oracle making Java, Solaris certifications pricier

  Later this year, Oracle will begin requiring people interested in gaining Java and Solaris certifications to attend "hands-on" training courses, at an additional cost of thousands of dollars.

• eBay and PayPal developer programs to merge

  The eBay and PayPal developer programs will be merged in order to establish a common platform that will allow external programmers to create applications with both e-commerce and payment capabilities for a broad variety of devices.

• Analysts welcome clarity on Yahoo BOSS plans

  Yahoo has gone a long way toward further dispelling the uncertainty around its BOSS search developer program with the establishment last week of a fee structure for it and with the pledge to upgrade its functionality in the coming months, analysts said.