Question: I am learning Java now (yay) in my spare time and have started several different tutorials. Some tutorials say to use NetBeans, some say to use Eclipse. Eventually I would like to get into Android development because i will be getting a smart phone at the end of this year.

FYI: I just earned Commentator Badge.

UPDATE::::::::I Have also just earned the "Notable Question" and "Editor" Badges respectively

2nd Update::::Soon after earning the two badges noted in the previous update, i also earned the Scholar Badge.

Answer: 
Install one.

Try using it.

Like it? Keep it. Don't like it? Try another.

Repeat.

The list of some to try: (there's plenty more out there!)

```
Eclipse // most popular
NetBeans // most popular for gui development
IntelliJ // holds its own in popularlity
BlueJ // simple
JGrasp // simple, made by a university for university students

```

The thing that make it best for you ... only you know, so only you can answer, and only after trying them yourself!
If this is your first programming language, then it's just a matter of what you like best. Try NetBeans; if you like it, keep using it forever, or until you start hating it or it doesn't do something you need. If you don't like it, try Eclipse. Rinse, repeat. You could even get away with using a simple text editor and javac in the command line.

It all comes down to what your preferences and needs are at this time. If, for example, you were just starting to learn PHP as a first language, I'd tell you to use Notepad++. Eventually you're going to want support for debugging, version control, PHPDOC, etc. You'll outgrow Notepad++ and graduate to Zend Studio or similar; but for now, you don't need the bells and whistles.

Personally, I've mostly used NetBeans (for Java/PHP), but the editor is a bit finicky sometimes. It's nothing debilitating though, and if I wasn't lazy I could probably fix most of the issues in the options. It was the first IDE wherein I could get the version control plugins (for Git in particular) to work properly so I stuck with it. To be fair, you can do this easily in most IDE's now.

However, I'm trying to convert to using Eclipse exclusively. The Android SDK is built to work hand-in-hand with it and Zend Studio is practically the same program, so it all feels very familiar. This is a good example of what I mean by one's personal needs and preferences.