Top 10 Java IDEs
Java is popular for developing secure desktop and web apps. Most developers prefer using an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) to write Java programs efficiently. IDEs provide features like error validation while coding, hence developers prefer using them. Here are the top 10 Java IDEs:
- IntelliJ IDEA
- Eclipse
- Apache NetBeans
- MyEclipse IDE
- BlueJ IDE
- Xcode IDE
- JDeveloper IDE
- JCreator IDE
- DrJava IDE
- Greenfoot IDE
Conclusion:
IDEs are essential in saving time and providing error validation while coding. The choice of IDE depends on the developer’s preference based on their needs.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- What do IDEs do?
- What is the best IDE to use for Java?
- Is Notepad++ an IDE?
- Can Vscode run Java?
IDEs provide features like code suggestion, error validation, syntax highlighting, debugging tools, and many more to ease software development.
The choice of IDE depends on the developer’s preference based on their needs. However, IntelliJ IDEA and Eclipse are popular choices among Java developers.
No, Notepad++ is a text editor that supports several programming languages. It lacks debugging and project management tools offered by IDEs.
Yes, Vscode can run Java with an extension for Java offered by Microsoft.
Additional Resources:
- IntelliJ IDEA
- Eclipse
- Apache NetBeans
- MyEclipse IDE
- BlueJ IDE
- Xcode IDE
- JDeveloper IDE
- JCreator IDE
- DrJava IDE
- Greenfoot IDE
What is a Java IDE?
An IDE (Integrated Development Environment) is a software that helps developers write code efficiently. Java IDEs, specifically developed for building Java applications, offer various features, including smart code completion, fancy source code editor, build automation tools, debugger, and code snippets that simplify the Java programming process.
There are numerous Java IDEs available in the market, and choosing the best one might be overwhelming. In this post, we will discuss the top 10 Java IDEs, highlighting their features, pros, and cons to help you make an informed decision.
// No code changes needed
Top 10 Java IDEs
Here is a list of commonly used Java Integrated Development Environments (IDEs).
1. Eclipse
2. IntelliJ IDEA
3. NetBeans
4. JDeveloper
5. BlueJ
6. DrJava
7. MyEclipse
8. JGrasp
9. CodeMix
10. Visual Studio Code
These IDEs make it easier for Java developers to write, test, and debug their code.
IntelliJ IDEA for Java Development
IntelliJ IDEA is a powerful Integrated Development Environment (IDE) that greatly enhances the productivity of Java developers. It offers smart coding assistance that includes autocomplete and inspection tools to improve the code quality. The IDE is available in two editions: the Apache 2 licensed community edition that is free and open-source, and the ultimate edition that is a paid version providing web and enterprise development features.
Pros:
- IntelliJ IDEA is available for Linux, macOS, and Windows.
- It offers smart code completion that suggests only those types that are expected in that particular context.
- It provides support for other languages such as HTML, JavaScript, SQL, Kotlin, etc.
- IntelliJ IDEA understands and suggests improvements when handling exceptions in the code.
- It offers great version control support (Git support) to make storing and sharing of code easier.
Cons:
- The Ultimate Edition is quite costly at US $149 per month for individual use.
- The IDE requires a bit of disk space (700-800MB) and consumes system resources.
- The community edition lacks framework support.
Overall, IntelliJ IDEA is an excellent IDE for Java developers that offers great code analysis assistance and version control support.
Eclipse IDE: An Overview
Code like a pro with Eclipse! Eclipse is a popular Java IDE, with both desktop and cloud editions. With the cloud version, you can code from any location and your code will be saved on the cloud. Additionally, Eclipse allows developers to create their own features using the Plugin Development Environment. It also offers an abundance of plugins for customization.
Pros: Available on multiple operating systems, free, beginner-friendly, supports more than 100 programming languages, and provides automatic code completion.
Cons: May run slowly with multiple plugins installed, consumes more system resources than other IDEs, and has subpar memory management.
Code Tag:
“`
// This is a comment in Java
public class HelloWorld {
public static void main(String[] args) {
System.out.println(“Hello, World!”);
}
}
“`
Plain Text Tag:
Eclipse is a reliable and flexible choice for developers working with multiple programming languages. However, it may not be the fastest or most efficient option for larger projects or those requiring more extensive memory management.
Apache NetBeans IDE for Java Development
Apache NetBeans is an open-source and free IDE that offers a complete set of tools for developing Java applications, including JavaFX, Java SE, and Java ME. NetBeans contains all the essential modules for Java development within a single download, allowing you to start working immediately on any Java project.
Pros of NetBeans:
- Available for Linux, macOS, Windows, and Solaris.
- Provides the auto-completion feature.
- Great debugging tools.
- Built-in refactoring tools.
- Can be easily integrated with web application servers like Tomcat and GlassFish.
- Works well with Git and other version control systems.
- Supports Maven technology.
Cons of NetBeans:
- Takes a longer time to start and load.
- Not memory efficient.
- Compilation and execution of programs are slower than other IDEs.
- No professional support.
You can download and use the latest version of Apache NetBeans IDE from their official website.
MyEclipse IDE
MyEclipse IDE is an advanced IDE built on the Eclipse platform and designed for creating robust Java Enterprise Edition and web applications. It comes in two versions: Professional and Standard, with the standard version adding persistence tools, database tools, spring tools and other features for faster development. MyEclipse also supports front-end development, backend development and Maven project management.
PROS OF MYECLIPSE IDE
- Available for Linux, macOS and Windows
- Supports codelive with live preview
- Offers a complete toolkit for software development
- Optimal bundle of technologies to build applications
- Offers database visualization
CONS OF MYECLIPSE IDE
- Paid IDE with a 30-day free trial
- Not beginner-friendly
- High consumption of system resources
- Slower compilation process than other IDEs
BlueJ: An IDE for Java Beginners
BlueJ is a beginner-friendly Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for Java. Originally designed for visual Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) education, it is now used to develop small Java applications. Its unique design allows interactive object creation and testing, making it ideal for experimentation and application testing.
Pros:
– Free and open source
– Available for Linux, macOS, and Windows
– Graphical class structure representation
– Low system resource usage
– Automatic documentation generation
– Ideal for learning OOP and computer programming basics
Cons:
– Unsuitable for large projects
– No auto-completion or indentation support
– Manual JVM stopping required for program termination
– Supports only Java programming
Xcode IDE
Xcode is an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) developed by Apple for macOS and is mainly used for developing apps for Apple devices. It comes with a suite of software development tools and a Cocoa Touch framework that provides an excellent environment for building apps for Apple devices.
One of the most significant advantages of Xcode is its Interface Builder design canvas, which enables the development of user-friendly interfaces without writing a single line of code. It also features version control, making it easy to compare file versions, view commit logs, and check code changes.
On the downside, Xcode is limited to Apple devices and does not have cross-platform support. Nevertheless, it remains a top choice IDE for Mac users looking to create Apple-compatible apps.
JDeveloper IDE
JDeveloper is a powerful and free IDE developed by Oracle Corporation for Java software development. It facilitates the complete software development life cycle, from design to deployment, and comes with an embedded Oracle Application Server. Coders can develop, debug, optimize, and test Java applications on the same platform with minimum effort.
Pros:
- JDeveloper is available for Linux, macOS, and Windows operating systems.
- It is helpful in producing quality business applications and comes with good customer support.
- Version control provides programmers with the ability to compare different versions.
- JDeveloper offers a great coding experience, including visual and non-visual utilities.
Cons:
- JDeveloper can be complex to use, with the difficulty increasing as development progresses.
- It may consume a lot of memory and system space.
- It requires a high level of expertise to handle this IDE properly.
#ActLikeAPI
JCreator IDE
JCreator is an IDE for Java-based development that comes in three editions: Lite, Pro, and Lite-Pro. It offers project management, automatic code completion, debugging interface, syntax highlighting, and customizable UI.
Pros:
- Specifically designed for Java-based development
- Quick setup time
- Provides a tree view of projects and classes
- Offers project templates for quick coding
Cons:
- Only available for Windows OS
- No support for third-party plugins
- No community support
- Paid version is pricey
DrJava IDE
DrJava is a Java-based integrated development environment (IDE) that is primarily designed for students. This lightweight IDE offers an interactive interface and the ability to execute Java code interactively. DrJava uses the swing toolkit and is consistent across different platforms.
Pros of DrJava IDE
- Lightweight and fast, doesn’t slow down.
- Student-friendly and ideal for beginners.
- Offers an interactive environment for troubleshooting, debugging, and testing programs.
Cons of DrJava IDE
- Includes only basic functionality suitable for students and beginners.
- Does not support third-party plugins like autocomplete.
- May slow down with heavy real-world application development.
Greenfoot IDE for Java Development
Greenfoot is a Java-based IDE developed by King’s College London and backed by Oracle. This user-friendly IDE is designed for educational purposes and offers a simple GUI for understanding Java concepts. It’s ideal for developing 2D graphic applications, including games, and is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Greenfoot provides an environment for real-time programming and interaction between students and instructors with good online tutorials.
Pros:
– Free and available on all the major Operating Systems
– Online tutorials are available for beginners
– Supportive online community
– Easy to develop 2D graphic applications
– Fun, interactive development environment
Cons:
– Lacks advanced features for large application development
– Third-party plugins are not allowed
Top 10 Java IDEs for Developers
In this post, we will discuss the top 10 Java IDEs. We will cover what an IDE is, its significance, which IDE is most commonly used by Java developers, and which one you should choose. We will also examine the features and pros and cons of each IDE. By the end of this post, you’ll be able to choose the best Java IDE for your needs with ease.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the role of IDEs?
An IDE helps developers to code more efficiently by providing smart code completion, debugging tools, source code highlighting, code formatting, indentation, and version control support. These features simplify the life of a developer and enhance productivity.
What is the Best IDE for Java Programming?
When choosing an IDE for Java programming, it is important to consider your specific needs. For beginners, Eclipse is a great option. Mac users can choose Xcode, while those who prefer visual learning can use BlueJ. However, if you are still unsure, IntelliJ IDEA is a reliable and well-rounded option. Ultimately, the best IDE for Java depends on your preferences and requirements.
Notepad++ – Text Editor or IDE?
No, Notepad++ is not an IDE, but a source code editor. It supports syntax highlighting and code auto-completion, but to a limited extent. It lacks advanced features, such as smart code completion and syntax checking. Notepad++ is only available on Microsoft Windows and is written in C++. It consumes less CPU power.
// sample code
#include
using namespace std;
int main() {
cout << "Hello World!";
return 0;
}
Running Java in VS Code
Yes, VS Code supports Java using an extension pack. It allows developers to read, write, run, and debug Java programs without creating projects.
USEFUL JAVA RESOURCES
Find more information about Java and become a skilled developer:
