Sharing common code between Java Projects?

[Taaadow]

I have 2 web applications that are very similar and share a lot of the same code. I have googled all day and can't find a straightforward answer to this question: How can I share code between the two projects in NetBeans? I've tried adding the the folder that contains the source packages to both projects but NetBeans complains that only one project at a time can use this source folder. I've been reading up about Enterprise projects (.ear) but still can't find a straightforward answer on how to accomplish this.

Does anyone know a reasonable way to share code in NetBeans so that I can have a folder that contains code that will apply to both projects and when I deploy either project it will include the code from the shared source files, or do I just have to keep copying the code from one project to another?

[whiteknave]

The easiest solution would be to put the shared code into a library or .jar file and the .jar file to your project library.

If you use this method, you'll probably want to put the shared code in a 3rd project. That way, you only have to maintain it in one spot. If you have to make changes, you just recompile/recreate the .jar file, and copy it to each project's /lib directory.

[hartman]

You hit the nail on the head in regard to "straightforward".

Here is Geertjan's recommended approach:

http://blogs.sun.com/geertjan/entry/sharing_code_between_different_netbeans

The wiki describes the difference between a suite and a cluster, but it's not clear what the differences are between "Add Project..." and "Add Cluster..." in the Project Properties dialog window, and why you would choose one over the other. Furthermore, it's not clear why a stand-alone module cannot depend on another stand-alone module. From my limited understanding, this would be the most straightforward approach.

[Geertjan Wielenga]

hartman wrote: