Because the project behind the desktop application was abandoned. it would also argue that netbeans 8 is focusing on features within java 8, namly javafx 8 - but that's a massive assumption.... Netbeans is an ide that allows you to quickly and easily develop desktop, mobile and web applications with java, javascript, html5, php, c/c++ and more. netbeans portable is the netbeans text editor packaged with a portableapps.com launcher as a portable app, so you can browse in privacy on your ipod, usb flash drive, portable hard drive, etc.. Java desktop refers to an effort to create a standard or library (libraries) that never really produced anything of significance. i think its likely that they finally removed it from netbeans. its easier to just create a new java application project, don't bother with a main, then create a new jframe form..
Learn how to make a java desktop app then run it anywhere!. The netbeans ide provides java developers with all the tools they need to create professional java se applications. the netbeans ide supports development for jdk 6 and jdk 7. desktop application development. java se is the programming platform for developers who create browser applets, command line tools, and graphical user interfaces targeted. 3 show that netbeans ide is the one-stop shop for all swing desktop needs ready out of the box, for applications of all sizes: demo 1: matisse gui builder demo 2: tooling for jsr-296 demo 3: netbeans platform goals.
