## About Window Components

See Also

A window component creates a window (also known as 'view') for a module. For example, the IDE's Projects window is a 'window', just as the Navigator, Output window, Palette, and Debugger. The main class in each of the modules that define these windows subclasses
.

Understanding and working with the `TopComponent` class is the key to creating useful and reliable windows in the IDE. By using the Window Component wizard, you can be sure of the success of the initial development phase. This is because when you use the New Window Component wizard, the IDE creates the following files for you:

File | Purpose
--- | ---
`xxxAction.java` | An action that the `layer.xml` file registers in the Window menu. The IDE creates this Action class to display the component.
`xxxTopComponent.java` | The class that extends . The following methods are provided when you use the New Window Component wizard: `getDefault()` `getPersistenceType()` `componentOpened()` `componentClosed()` `writeReplace()` `preferredID()`
| `xxxTopComponentSettings.xml` `xxxTopComponentWstcref.xml` | These files dock, instantiate, and load the window. There should be no need to touch these files at all.

For an example of creating a window component, see the

See Also
  About NetBeans Platform and Module Development
  About the NetBeans Platform

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