NetBeans Platform 6.7 does not run on Java 1.5

I have also posted this question on the netbeans forums - hoping for maximum exposure.

I am developing an application using NetBeans RELEASE67 and maven-nbm plugin. I use Java WebStart to deploy.

My users have a mixture of java 1.6 and java 1.5

My java 1.5 users are unable to use the software; on startup the software calls TopComponent.findInstance() and this results in

java.lang.NoClassDefFoundError: javax/swing/GroupLayout$Group

I can see that javax.swing.GroupLayout is new to java 1.6+, and am stumped that the basic TopComponent code is so tied to java 1.6.

How can I get a NetBeans platform app to run under Java 1.5?

I will try to rewind to RELEASE65 in the hope this will solve the problem. Any suggestions?

Thanks alot.

Solution

Apologies for the slow response.

My problem was that I was running the IDE under Java 6, and Matisse had created all the layouts using the java6 only class javax.swing.GroupLayout.

I didn't notice the problem until I had to run the software on the minoritiy of my clients who are stuck on Java 1.5

This is easily fixed using the following procedure

Open the TopComponent in the 'Inspector' window
Right-click on the root node (Form TopComponent). Select the 'Properties Windo
In the properties window there is a line about 'Layout Generation Style'. The choice is between
- Standard Java 6 Code
- Swing Layout Extensions Library
Select the latter option.
Rebuild