last time i used java was like 5 years ago, i've tried to avoid it like the plague. Now im thinking about using it for use with some micro controller stuff which will need to send receive info to the com ports. Just a few q'ns about java: -What is a good IDE and GUI builder app. -Do java apps still need to run via batch files to get them running

Quote:Original post by supagu
Now im thinking about using it for use with some micro controller stuff which will need to send receive info to the com ports.

Is there a reason you're choosing by far the worst tool for this job?

Java's serial port has been flaky at best. The official Java Communcations API didn't even have Windows support last I checked. Not saying it can't be done, but such direct hardware access goes against everything Java is.

Quote:-What is a good IDE and GUI builder app.

NetBeans or Eclipse. There aren't any specifically good GUI builders, but NetBeans' is slightly better.

Quote:-Do java apps still need to run via batch files to get them running

They never needed to run via batch files. If you prefer you can make auto-runnable jars or provide an executable front-end.