What is Java IDE?
Java IDE (Integrated Development Environment) is a software application that enables users to write and debug Java programs more easily. Most IDEs have features such as syntax highlighting and code completion that helps users to code more easily. Usually, Java IDEs include a code editor, a compiler, a debugger, and an interpreter that the developer may access via a single graphical user interface. Java IDEs also provide language-specific elements such as Maven, Ant building tools, Junit, and TestNG for testing.
The Java IDE or Integrated Development Environment provides considerable support for the application development process. Through using them, we can save time and effort and set up a standard development process for the team or company. Eclipse, NetBeans, IntelliJ IDEA, and many other IDE’s are most popular in the Java IDE’s that can be used according to our requirements. In this topic, we will discuss the best Java IDE’s that are used by the users.
Best Java IDEs
The following are the best Java IDEs that are mostly used in the world:
Eclipse
It is a Java-based open-source platform that enables us to create highly customized IDEs from Eclipse member’s plug-in components. This platform is also suitable for beginners to create user-friendly and more sophisticated applications. It contains many plugins that enable developers to develop and test code written in different languages. Some of Eclipse’s features are as follows:
- Eclipse provides powerful tools for different software development processes, such as charting, reporting, checking, etc. so that Java developers can build the application as quickly as possible.
- Eclipse can be used on platforms such as MacOS, Linux, Windows, and Solaris.
- Eclipse could also make several mathematical documents with LaTeX using both the TeXlipse plug-in and Mathematica software packages.
NetBeans
NetBeans is a Java-based IDE and basic application platform framework. Besides Java, JavaScript and JavaFX, NetBeans supports PHP, C/C++, Groovy, and HTML5 languages. It is a free and open-source Java IDE that enables Java developers to develop various applications using different module sets. Some of the following features of NetBeans are as follows:
- NetBeans is available for various operating systems, such as Linux, MacOS, Windows, Solaris, etc.
- Although NetBeans is mainly a Java IDE, it has extensions to operate in many other programming languages, such as C, PHP, C++, JavaScript, HTML5, etc.
- NetBeans may be used on different systems such as MacOS, Windows, Solaris and Linux.
IntelliJ IDEA
It is a free and open-source commercial Java IDE. It has two versions that are a paid-up Ultimate edition and a free and open-source community edition. Some of the features of the IDEA IntelliJ are as follows:
- IntelliJ IDEA has several features to make programming easier, like code completion, debugging, XML editing support, code refactoring, code checks, TestNG, unit testing, etc.
- Both versions of IntelliJ IDEA support different programming languages like Java, Kotlin, Groovy, Scala, etc.
BlueJ
It is a Java IDE that is widely used by the world’s Java programmers. However, it was mainly designed for educational purposes, but also useful for software development. Some of BlueJ’s features are as follows:
- The BlueJ main screen displays the current development application’s class structure, which is simple to access and change objects.
- BlueJ’s basic design is distinct from other IDE’s because it was specifically designed to teach OOPS to beginners.
JCreator
It is another lightweight Java IDE developed by Xerox Software. It has a similar graphical interface to Microsoft’s Visual Studio. It is available in three different versions: Lite Edition, Pro Edition and Life-Pro Edition. Unlike Java IDEs, which are developed using Java, JCreator is developed completely in C++. In addition, it does not require a JRE for Java code execution. The developer community believes that JCreator is quicker than most traditional Java IDEs for the unique purpose. On the other hand, it’s small and easy, making it perfect for newbies starting with Java. The following are the features of JCreator IDE:
- JCreator’s paid version has different features similar to other Java IDEs like code wizards, debugger Ant support, and project management. However, it does not have advanced features such as automatic refactoring, support for popular frameworks, etc.
- Since JCreator is a Java IDE program in C++, there is no need for a JRE to execute Java code.
- Despite some limitations, JCreator is a perfect Java IDE for beginners due to its compact size and higher pace.
- JCreator can be used on various platforms like Linux and Windows.
JDeveloper
JDeveloper is a free and open-source Java IDE supported by Oracle Corporation. It can be used to build applications in different languages other than Java, like PL/SQL, PHP, XML, HTML, JavaScript, SQL, etc. The following are the features of JDeveloper IDE:
- JDeveloper also simplifies the application development process by offering a wide range of visual application development tools and all the tools required to build an advanced coding environment.
- JDeveloper may implement the Oracle Application Development Framework, which is an end-to-end Java EE-based framework. It means that the production of the application process becomes much simpler.
- It offers several features for the entire application’s life cycle that is coding, debugging, designing, deploying, optimizing, etc.
MyEclipse
It is a unique Java IDE built on top of the Eclipse platform that is created and maintained by Genuitec. Many tools and techniques available in MyEclipse could be used to develop Java apps and web development. It also offers support for JavaScript, HTML, Angular, and TypeScript and provides support for database connectors and application server connectors. It has five editions: the Professional Edition, the Regular Edition, the Blue Edition, the Spring Edition and the Bling Edition. Some of MyEclipse’s features are as follows:
- MyEclipse offers support to web programming languages like HTML, JavaScript, Angular, TypeScript, etc.
- Various tools are available in MyEclipse, like visual web designers, spring tools database tools, persistence tools, etc. that may be used to develop Java apps and web development.
- MyEclipse IDE provides various features, including Spring Tooling, WebSphere Connectors, Maven Project Management, Database Connectors, and Swing GUI Design Support etc.
Greenfoot
It is an IDE that has been developed to provide high school and undergraduate education. Greenfoot is free and open-source software that is maintained with the help of Oracle. Some of Greenfoot’s characteristics are as follows:
- Greenfoot has the ability to show various OOPS features like class & entity relationships, processes, object interactions, parameters, etc.
- Two-dimensional graphical applications could be easily built using Greenfoot; prime examples are simulations, immersive games, etc.
- Also, as it was intended to be a learning medium, it has easy access to animation and sound.
DrJava
It is a lightweight Java IDE organization maintained and operated by the JavaPLT Community at Rice University. It is mainly developed for beginners and students. However, it is not as advanced as different Java IDE’s. It also has a remarkably culture-free interface. There are following features of DrJava as follows:
- Unlike other Java IDEs, DrJava has a consistent presence on various platforms. It’s because it was designed using the Swing toolkit of Sun Microsystems.
- There are various features available for expert Java Developers in DrJava, including automatic indentation, commenting autocompletion, syntax coloring, brace matching, etc.
- It will interactively test the Java code from the console and display the result in the same console.
Xcode
It is a Java IDE developed by Apple Inc. for MacOS. It can be accessed free of charge. This IDE comes with several software development tools for the development of TVOS, MacOS, and iOS software and allows Java programming. Some of the main highlights of Xcode are the built-in debugger, GUI designer, and autocomplete profile. AppleScript, Objective-C, C, Objective-C++, C++, Ruby, Python, and Swift are provided by Xcode, in addition to Java. There are the following features of Xcode as follows:
- Split Window View and Coding Assistant
- Code Filter and User Interface Prototyping
- Version Editor and Source Control
- Testing and Configurations
- Quick Access and Schemes Management
Codenvy
It is a commercial Java IDE built on Eclipse Che. Developers can select the IDE from the three Java IDE variants, which is the creator, enterprise, and team. It is a workspace for cloud-based and on-demand developers. In addition to writing Java code using a browser-based editor, java developer may take advantage of the additional features, including refactoring, syntax highlighting, and code completion.
By providing an easy way to create, debug, edit, and run different projects, the Codenvy editor also makes things better for programmers. Codenvy’s team version is targeted at teamwork. In addition to Java, it offers various programming languages for both interpreted and compiled, including C#, JavaScript, C++, and PHP. The following are the features of the Codenvy IDE:
- Act with an adaptable and well-paced IDE on-prem or in the cloud with
- With extensions and assemblies from Eclipse Che, customize the IDE.
- Start a project, from any device, in seconds.
- Act online with CLI push, pull, and clone, or offline.
- Start the create, run, and deploy parallel processes.
