[fishtoprecords]

I know a lot of folks here say use a simple editor and run javac from the shell, rather than using an IDE to learn java. I disagree.

Or at least, while I respect that opinion, my opinion is that an IDE automates a lot of cruft that can get in the way of learning.

Libraries are nearly transparent, with Netbeans just click on "fix imports" and you are done.

But the fact is that programming is hard, and doing it well takes skills. The only way to get the skills is to practice.

So get to the woodshed and get to work.