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Google web toolkit with Netbeans?

I prefer to use Netbeans as my IDE rather than Eclipse. A few years ago when I looked into Google Web toolkit, there was no good Netbeans plugin for GWT and everyone suggested to use Eclipse. How is the situation now? Is there any better plugin on the market, or is Eclipse the best option?

I prefer Netbeans over Eclipse too. To develop for GWT, I used the following setup steps without installing gwt4nb plugin. Since I use an IDE for code analysis and editing help only, and feel quite comfortable manipulating files and directories in the source tree directly. Though this may not fit your case, I guess for many developers the steps should be good enough because you can treat gwt development just a normal java project.
Install JDK, NetBeans-SE. Extract gwt package. I have a note for gwt-1.7.1. If running on a windows 64bit version, install 64bit netbeans and jdk, and also a 32 bit JRE.
Copy the Hello sample from gwt directory to a directory out of gwt package directory. Create a project of existing java source code, and put the project under the same Hello directory. Then netbeans will create two files in the Hello directory: nbbuild.xml and manifest.mf, and create its own nbproject directory under Hello. I simply ignore these files.
In netbeans "Projects" window, right click on "Libraries" and choose "Add JAR" to add the jar files from the gwt directory.
In netbeans "Files" window (not the "Projects" window), you will see the original "build.xml" file that comes with the Hello sample. Edit this file so the "gwt.sdk" points to the location of gwt package directory. On windows 64bit, also add a "jvm" property under "java" task. It shall look like (only jvm=... is newly added):
<target name="hosted" depends="javac" description="Run hosted mode">
<java failonerror="true" fork="true" classname="com.google.gwt.dev.HostedMode"
jvm="C:\\Users\\youhere\\Programs\\jre6.32\\bin\\java">
<classpath>
Use "Files" window, click to expand "build.xml" file node. Then right click on "hosted" ant target under "build.xml" and choose "Run Target" in the context menu to build and run the hosted mode.
The ant targets from "build.xml" you usually use:
"build": Use this to build the javascript.
"hosted": Use this to build java and start hosted server and browser.
Once the hosted server is started, you can run "build" target to build the javascript and to have the result served by the running hosted server immediately without restarting the server. Use your normal browser to see the javascript version at "localhost:8888". You can set a different port by editing the "build.xml" file.
Usually I copy the Hello sample to a different directory, and use that as a start point of a new project. After that manually edit the files to match the project naming and directory structure.
I also copy the other samples from gwt package to a new directory, then build and run them to use that as a code reference. If you want to also develop the servlet, take a look at the servlet of DynaTable sample and create or copy the files into the same directory structure in your project.
A note about gwt4nb plugin: I installed it but figured out it is too heavy weight for me. With the above manual setup, I can do everything that I need to without any difficulty.

I would say Eclipse is the best free option. Intellij IDEA (paid edition) has also good GWT support but it is not as good as Eclipse.
I think the only official support goes for eclipse, see here : https://developers.google.com/web-toolkit/download
Based on my personal experience, if you want to have a good integration between GWT and your IDE, go for Eclipse. If you intend to use Maven, I also suggest M2E http://m2eclipse.codehaus.org/
EDIT
Forgot to say the most important thing. Netbeans by the way, seems to have a nice support of GWT but I never tested, see : http://netbeans.org/kb/docs/web/quickstart-webapps-gwt.html

I am sure this is not the correct and suitable answer. But if you like to trade off, this is just an idea.
sudo -i
cd ~/gwt
./projectCreator -ant build -out projects/myapplication
./applicationCreator -out projects/myapplication myapplication.client.MyApp
Then, you can import the project ...
In Netbeans create a new projects and choose 'Java Project With
Existing Ant Script',
Set Location to the myapplication folder created earlier
Set Build Script to the build.ant.xml file created by projectCreator
Set Project Name to something more appropriate
Open the project properties and under Java Sources click Add Folder.
Select the projects/myapplication/src folder and press OK
Please excuse, if you didn't like this approach.

Sounds similar with Battle for Eclipse and Netbean but you are talking about concern with GWT.
So , I think you can choice as you more prefer depends on your experiences. You can do GWT developing in various IDE because I assume GWT runs on it's SDK not on IDE . But there has some points of views. Example : easy to generate , test , develop ..etc on each IDE.
I also personally love NetBean due to beautiful GUI :) . But I am working with Eclipse IDE because our team has been developed and configured on it for a long time so we have hard to change IDE (sometimes very hard to change Eclipse version because we can't imagine new version will more reliable for our projects).But I don't mean Eclipse is the best option , as I described you may configure your GWT projects on any other IDE also as your experiences via GWT SDK.
"...and everyone suggested to use Eclipse." . Yes you will see most of sample projects for it were figured with Eclipse IDE. Only aspect for GWT , I think you have chance to choose NetBean IDE without any worries.
You can develop GWT project on NetBean IDE as follow...
1.) First off, download and install the gwt4nb plugin. ( you may have exp for install plugin on NetBean IDE )
2.) download GWT SDK and extract it to your specific location.
3.) create a new Java Web –> Web Application. Name your application and hit Next until you get to the Frameworks tab. If you have successfully installed the gwt4nb plugin you should see Google Web Toolkit listed. Select the Google Web Toolkit framework.
4.) Next, browse to the GWT SDK installation folder. Name your GWT module and hit Finish.
5.) Clean and Build your project.(don't be forgot to wait until successfully finished Build.)
6.) Run the project, your browser should launch and the button “Click me!” and the text “Hello, GWT!!!” should be visible.
Cheer ! now you can create GWT sample project on NetBean IDE.
You can also create GWT's
Test Case
Constants
Module
RPC Service
UiBinder
By right click on your_project > Other... > Google Web Toolkit.
Have some useful tips for you !

Convert Java Project to .Exe

I've created a game project in NetBeans 6.9, and I want to run the project on another computer. The problem is if NetBeans is not installed on the other computer then surely I cannot run the project.
Therefore I have to convert my project into a .exe that can be run on other computers without having to install NetBeans.
Is there a free application that can convert .java to .exe?
Please help me to convert my project into a .exe file. Thanks.

Check out these official netbeans article for Packaging and Deploying Desktop Java Applications and Developing General Java Applications.
From the article
Running the Application Inside of the IDE
When developing applications in the IDE, typically you will need to test and refine them before distributing them. You can easily test an application that you are working on by running the application from the IDE.
To run the AnotherGrep project in the IDE, right-clicking the project's node (AnotherGrep) in the Projects window and choose Run Project.
The xGrep window should open. You can click the Browse button to choose a file in which to search for a text pattern. In the Search Pattern field, type text or a regular expression pattern that you would like to match, and click Search. The results of each match will appear in the xGrep window's Output area.
Information on regular expressions that you can use in this application are available here and in many other places on the World Wide Web.
Running the Application Outside of the IDE
Once you have finished developing the application and before you distribute it, you will probably want to make sure that the application also works outside of the IDE.
You can run the application outside of the IDE by following these steps:
In your system's file manager (for example, in the My Computer window on Windows XP systems), navigate to PROJECT_HOME/dist and double-click the AnotherGrep.jar file.
You will know that the application has started successfully when the xGrep window opens.
If the xGrep window does not open, your system probably does not have a file association between JAR files and the Java Runtime Environment. See Troubleshooting JAR File Associations.
Distributing the Application to Other Users
Now that you have verified that the application works outside of the IDE, you are ready to distribute it.
You can distribute the application by following these steps:
1: Create a zip file that contains the application JAR file (AnotherGrep.jar) and the accompanying lib folder that contains swing-layout-1.0.jar.
2: Send the file to the people who will use the application. Instruct them to unpack the zip file, making sure that the AnotherGrep.jar file and the lib folder are in the same folder.
The users of your application should be able to run it by double-clicking the JAR file. If this does not work for them, show them the information in the Troubleshooting JAR File Associations section.
Also some third party tools like Launch4j may do the trick. For more information see this article on java-to-exe

See Launch4j. I dislike starting java apps with a batch file. This wraps anything from the root jar all the way up to a complete Java environment in an exe. You get your own icon in the system tray rather than the generic coffee cup. I've used it successfully on a project that has about 300,000 downloads, and it's never been the source of a reported bug. NB It does take some careful reading to pick the right options for your project. But you can set it up with the Ant build script in Netbeans to make the .exe automatically. Very nice and clean. My project includes native libraries. They work fine as well.

I think the NSIS will help you . Most of the applications using NSIS. Because it is open source.
Also there is a Eclipse plugin for NSIS to make the process easy.
http://hmne.sourceforge.net/

Create executable package for a netbeans project [duplicate]

This question already has answers here:
Closed 10 years ago.
Possible Duplicate:
Export JAR with Netbeans
I have created a NetBeans Project and now I want to create a package from the project. As this is my first project in NetBeans. Can any one help me to create a package from my project for distribution?

Expanding on the question for the .exe:
I have good experience using Winrun4J to generate an exe launcher for my Java applications. It's quite forward to setup and generate and it supports 32 and 64 bit Windows.
You can even put all needed jars into the exe.
http://winrun4j.sourceforge.net/
But (as you seem to be new to Java): the exe is only a wrapper. It still requires a Java Runtime to be installed on the system where you start the exe!

If you have several project in development environment, make sure you have set the project you want to distribute as a main project. It can be done via mouse right click menu on project name in the left pane.
Click on menu: "Run -> Clean and build main project"
Inspect your project folder, find folder dist in your project folder. There is *.jar file. It is packaged compiled project file.

If you want to code desktop apps. that will run on Windows, OS X & *nix, write them in Java & deploy them from a link using Java Web Start.
JWS provides many appealing features including, but not limited to, splash screens, desktop integration, file associations, automatic update (including lazy downloads and programmatic control of updates), partitioning of natives & other resource downloads by platform, architecture or Java version, configuration of run-time environment (minimum J2SE version, run-time options, RAM etc.), easy management of common resources using extensions..
I high-lit the part that is relevant to your next comment.
can I give my own icon image to the executable file?
Why should the user ever see a .jar (or a .exe for that matter)? JWS offers desptop integration, which might consist of a desktop shortcut and/or menu item on supported OS'. Either of those can have an image (within limitations) as supplied by you.
The deployJava.js script checks the user has the required minimum version (helps them to install it, if not), before running an applet or providing a link to a JWS app.

Creating a stand alone Java application

Is it possible to create a stand alone application in Java (using Swing) and package it into an exe file?
My Idea is, we should be able to double click it and run the application.

If you export a runnable .jar file you will be able to double click and run, but you'll still need the JVM in order to interpret the bytecode.

The best way to deploy a Swing based app. to a client's desktop is using Java Web Start.
JWS offers desktop integration - making a desktop shortcut and menu item, each using an icon if specified. The end use can double-click the desktop shortcut cut to launch the app. ( or single-click the menu item to do the same ;).
Best of all, JWS works for all platforms for which the J2SE is supplied. Windows, Ubuntu, Fedora, Solaris, Mac. OS..
For ensuring the user has the correct minimum JRE needed to run the app., use deployJava.js to write the link to the JNLP launch file.

If you export your project in a .jar file, you will be able to run it when you click on it.
I suppose that you know that you must have the virtual machine installed in the computer that runs the program.(The virtual machine is the thing that allows java to be operative system independent)
And also you must know that if you transform that .jar to an .exe file using some kind of gadget... Then java will not be java anymore, because will not be able to run it in non-windows operative systems.
Remember java slogan
'Write once run everywhere"
See this image here i will explain you how to create a .jar using the eclipse IDE:
1-Select your project in the package explorer
2-Select File>Export from the menu
3-Pick Runnable JAR file from the dialog and
4-Click next and follow the rest of the wizard

You can package your application to JAR file. Application in jar file runs on duoble click.
Here is tutorial. http://download.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/deployment/jar/

You can already do this with a normal .jar file if the user has configured the extension to be executed with the JRE. But you can always use something like Launch4J. Please Note this simply wraps the Jar in a EXE file. The file still needs your Dependencies (.jars) and the JRE enviroment.

Java Application executed from Desktop

I have made a java application in Eclipse and it has a Main class which has the main method from which the application runs. I want that i should be able to run the application from outside the eclipse maybe by clicking on some icon.
Can anyone guide how that might be possible?

Create a Java .exe/.jar file
Create JAR file in Java & Eclipse
JAR file using Eclipse IDE
Right click on your project, which you want to create a JAR file of. And select Export from the context menu.
Select JAR file from Java folder and click Next.
Provide the Destination path and click on Finish to create the JAR.

You should build the application first,then you'll find a file with the extension ".jar" in the project's directory
you can run this jar anywhere

Once you have a Jar, you might also deploy the app. using Java Web Start.
JWS can do desk-top integration tasks like providing a desktop icon (with customized icon) and/or menu item. JWS also offers many other nice features like configurable automatic update & file associations, and offers a comprehensive API that is only available to JWS apps. The JNLP API makes persistence, single instance code and other things easy.