Eclipse vs. Netbeans
Eclipse and Netbeans are both popular Integrated Development Environments (IDE) for Java Development, but may be used for other tasks and programming languages, too. The eclipse java code formatter is much more powerful that netbeans'. NetBeans is sponsored by Oracle. Eclipse is sponsored by IBM.

Key Differences
Eclipse can do automatically format on Java sources at save time.This feature was release in NetBeans 7.3.
NetBeans can open any Maven project without having to convert it to an Eclipse specific project.
Netbeans maven integration has a feature to install a non-maven artifact (without pom.xml) into local (and maybe other) maven repository. Eclipse does not have this feature. There are only workarounds.
Eclipse has a "synchronize" view which displays differences between VCS (e.g. SVN, CVS etc.) and the local working copy as a tree view. Netbeans has a kind of synchronization view, too, but it displays the information as a table.
The eclipse java code formatter seems to be much more powerful that netbeans'
NetBeans is sponsored by Oracle. Eclipse is sponsored by IBM.

Samantha Walker
Nov 29, 2015
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There is no difference between the both of them under platform support. Eclipse and NetBeans have cross-platform support. You can have this application running on Windows, Mac, Linux, Solaris and any other platform, as long as JVM (Java Virtual Machine) is installed.

Samantha Walker
Nov 29, 2015
NetBeans has the ability to open projects in different directories.
Both have a wide range of programming language support, which includes C/C++, Java, JavaScript and PHP. But how do you get this support is an interesting part. Eclipse is a plugin based IDE. Large part of its functionality comes from plugins. Features like Mobile application SDK’s, Rich Internet applications, and Architectural driven apps can be developed using plugins mostly. On the other hand NetBeans has many projects and is a tool based IDE. It incorporates many platforms using tooling support. Thus making it less scattered.
NetBeans user interface is built on Swing (Java native lightweight toolkit). Eclipse user interface is built on SWT (a Java wrapper around the system's underlying toolkit), so it needs compiled binary libraries that are platform dependent.
Eclipse and Netbeans Definitions
Eclipse
The partial or complete obscuring, relative to a designated observer, of one celestial body by another.
Eclipse
The period of time during which such an obscuration occurs.
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Eclipse
A temporary or permanent dimming or cutting off of light.
Eclipse
A fall into obscurity or disuse; a decline:"A composer ... often goes into eclipse after his death and never regains popularity"(Time).
Eclipse
A disgraceful or humiliating end; a downfall:Revelations of wrongdoing helped bring about the eclipse of the governor's career.
Eclipse
To cause an eclipse of.
Eclipse
To obscure; darken.
Eclipse
To obscure or diminish in importance, fame, or reputation.
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Eclipse
To surpass; outshine:an outstanding performance that eclipsed the previous record.
Eclipse
(astronomy) An alignment of astronomical objects whereby one object comes between the observer (or notional observer) and another object, thus obscuring the latter.
Eclipse
Especially, an alignment whereby a planetary object (for example, the Moon) comes between the Sun and another planetary object (for example, the Earth), resulting in a shadow being cast by the middle planetary object onto the other planetary object.
Eclipse
(ornithology) A seasonal state of plumage in some birds, notably ducks, adopted temporarily after the breeding season and characterised by a dull and scruffy appearance.
Eclipse
Obscurity, decline, downfall.
Eclipse
(transitive) Of astronomical or atmospheric bodies, to cause an eclipse.
The Moon eclipsed the Sun.
Eclipse
To overshadow; to be better or more noticeable than.
Eclipse
(Irish grammar) To undergo eclipsis.
Eclipse
An interception or obscuration of the light of the sun, moon, or other luminous body, by the intervention of some other body, either between it and the eye, or between the luminous body and that illuminated by it. A lunar eclipse is caused by the moon passing through the earth's shadow; a solar eclipse, by the moon coming between the sun and the observer. A satellite is eclipsed by entering the shadow of its primary. The obscuration of a planet or star by the moon or a planet, though of the nature of an eclipse, is called an occultation. The eclipse of a small portion of the sun by Mercury or Venus is called a transit of the planet.
That fatal and perfidious bark,Built in the eclipse, and rigged with curses dark.
Eclipse
The loss, usually temporary or partial, of light, brilliancy, luster, honor, consciousness, etc.; obscuration; gloom; darkness.
All the posterity of our fist parents suffered a perpetual eclipse of spiritual life.
As in the soft and sweet eclipse,When soul meets soul on lovers' lips.
Eclipse
To cause the obscuration of; to darken or hide; - said of a heavenly body; as, the moon eclipses the sun.
Eclipse
To obscure, darken, or extinguish the beauty, luster, honor, etc., of; to sully; to cloud; to throw into the shade by surpassing.
My joy of liberty is half eclipsed.
Eclipse
To suffer an eclipse.
While the laboring moonEclipses at their charms.
Eclipse
One celestial body obscures another
Eclipse
Exceed in importance; outweigh;
This problem overshadows our lives right now
Eclipse
Cause an eclipse of (a celestial body) by intervention;
The Sun eclipses the moon today
Planets and stars often are occulted by other celestial bodies
Eclipse
Cause an eclipse of; of celestial bodies;
The moon eclipsed the sun
What is Eclipse?
Eclipse is associated with IBM. Eclipse can do automatically format on Java sources at save time.This feature was release in NetBeans 7.3. Eclipse has a “synchronize” view which displays differences between VCS (e.g. SVN, CVS etc.) and the local working copy as a tree view.
What is Netbeans?
NetBeans is a Sun/Oracle environment. Netbeans has a kind of synchronization view displaying the information as a table. Netbeans maven integration has a feature to install a non-maven artifact (without pom.xml) into local (and maybe other) maven repository.