Using a Web Browser With the IDE

You can open a web browser from the IDE in two ways:

You can configure the IDE to use either an internal or external web browser. Both types of browsers enable you to view external and local web pages (including online help and Javadoc documentation). An internal browser provides the highest level of integration with the IDE--you can embed an internal browser into another IDE window or an MDI frame. The Swing HTML browser is an implementation of an internal browser in the IDE.

The preferred browser for use with the IDE is an external browser, which provides more functionality than an internal browser and does not close when you shut down the IDE. A disadvantage of using an external browser is that you cannot embed it in an IDE window. Three implementations of the external browser are available for use with the IDE:

By providing a set of browsers, the IDE enables you to use different browsers for different tasks. You may set different browsers for JSPs, applets, and Javadoc documentation.

You set your preferred browser under the System Settings node in the Options window. (JSP also uses this browser unless you explicitly change the browser under the JSP & Servlets node in the Options window.) You can customize a browser or create a new browser type under the Web Browsers node in the Options window.

For more information see:

Setting a Home Page for the Web Browser
Creating a Bookmark for a Web Page
Setting a Proxy
Configuring HTTP Server Options
Using the Swing HTML Browser
Configuring an External Browser
Specifying the Default Browser

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