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Introduction to SunSpot development using NetBeans for Newbies

By Ashwin Bhat K S and Rajath Shanbag

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Some really cool online resources before you read the wiki

• Sun SPOT world
• Wikipedia entry
• API Documentation
• Squawk JVM for Sun SPOT

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Instructions to build a simple demo Sun SPOT application in NetBeans.

• Install the latest JDK
• Insert the cd given with the sunspot and run SunSPOTSDKInstaller.jar
• Just double click the jar file. If it does not open try the following command in the shell or command prompt

java  –jar   SunSPOTSDKInstaller.jar

• Click “Continue” button, Scroll to the bottom and click "Accept"

• Put a tick mark to the necessary items to be installed. Select a location for installing the software.
• If you already have a JDK you will see that Supported JDK found message. You need not put a tick mark against JDK in that case.
• And then select "Install"

• Accept the license agreement and select "Next >"

• Select all the components and select "next"

• Click next

• Again click "next" and wait for some time. In the end click "Finish".

• Say "Next”", Accept the license terms ,give an appropriate installation directory and select an appropriate JVM from the list and finally say finish. This will finish Netbeans 5.5 Installation.
• Press "Continue"

• Press "Start IDE"

• NetBeans 5.5 will now open with a Welcome screen showing various Information and resources about the sunspot.Browse through the excellent resources for more information.

• Now connect one end of a USB cable to a standalone SUNSPOT ( Thicker of the two SUNSPOTS ) and other end to your computer and follow instructions to install the USB Driver.

Note: The SUNSPOT comes along with USB Driver for windows.

• Click "Next"

• Click "Continue Anyway"

• Now we are Ready to deploy our first SUNSPOT Application
• Go to “File -> Open Project” in the menu bar.

• Go to the “Demos” Folder In the SUNSPOT Installation Directory.
• Here it is C:\Program Files\Sun\SunSPOT\Demos

• Click on AirText in the Demos folder
• Click on the “Open Project Folder Button”

• Now AirText is listed in the projects Window.
• Click on AirTextDemo.java file in the Project Explorer.

• In the Right Hand Side In the Editor Window. You can edit the message and the colour to be Shown.
• This Demo will show "HI This is a Sun SPOT SPOT SPOT SPOT SPOT"
• The Function swingThis( ) will display the string given as arguments when the SUNSPOT is swung to and fro.
• The Function setColor will set the color in terms of RGB.

• Now in the Project Explorer Right Click on AirText and click "Build Project + Deploy to Sun SPOT"

• In the Output window you will see similar to what is shown below.

"Waiting for target to synchronise..."
"(Please reset SPOT if you dont get a prompt)"

• Do wait for sometime and Then press the power button of the SUNSPOT which will restart / reset the SPOT.

• Make sure you get the Encircled message after resetting the SPOT.

"Download operation completed successfully"

• Congratulations. You have deployed your first Application on your SUNSPOT.
• Now Swing the SUNSPOT to and fro.
• The accelerometer inside the SUNSPOT will detect the movement and the LEDs will give an effect of displaying the message .

• Similarly try the other demos and write an application of your own.
• Happy Programming :)

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See also SUNSPOTwithNetbeans

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