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Top 5 Java IDE For Optimal Coding Experience

Choosing the best Java IDE makes you a better programmer and that’s why we list the top  Java IDE’s in this article.

Java belongs to one of the most popular and commonly used programming languages. Even individuals who are not invested in the programming world are also aware of Java.

The programming language is known for its simplicity and portability and sees vast usage in areas like Android app development, game consoles and even with supercomputers as well. If you invest much of your time with Java, then you know the necessity of a proper Java IDE.

A Java IDE or Java Integrated Development Environment is basically a software that helps users as they write Java programs and then debug them with more ease and efficiency. It will not only help you with editing and compiling your code but also help you with resource management and overall provide an all-in-one solution to all your Java coding necessities.

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In recent times productivity is the minds of many, and the rightly picked IDE can help you with that. The market is filled with over hundreds of Java IDE and you just might go to a halt by becoming confused with so many options.

So, here we have taken the liberty and shortlisted some of the best Java IDEs available. You are sure to find something here that will suit your particular need and provide you with useful features for your next Java project.

So without further ado, here is a list of The Five Best Java IDE to help improve your Productivity:

Top 5 Java IDE For Optimal Coding Experience

NetBeans

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NetBeans is an open source Java IDE which makes it free to use. It is also extremely popular and has a large community base backing it up. It is currently owned by Oracle but was developed by Sun Microsystems.

  • NetBeans is completely modularized.
  • The software uses Swing which comes with thousands of third party libraries.
  • It is also highly customizable in terms of looks and feel.
  • Third Party developers can contribute to its development and also has a comprehensive set of community provided plugins.
  • The Java IDE also helps with other languages like PHP, C/C++, and even HTML5.
  • It features an Ant-based build system as well as support for Maven to help you start using it right out of the box.
  • You also get easy integration with version control software.
  • It is cross-platform compatible and can run smoothly on any OS that supports a compatible JVM.
  • NetBeans can also be used to work with Cloud-based applications.
  • It also provides you with an efficient and effective project management system.
  • NetBeans is also the official IDEA for Java 8.

Overall if you are in search for a simple and easy to use Java IDE which also provides you with extensive features as well as the benefit of working with cloud applications then NetBeans is an excellent choice. Furthermore, the software is also very customizable for those who want customizability in their IDEs.

Eclipse

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Eclipse is another extremely popular Java IDE with open source tools and a large community of developers. Much like NetBeans, Eclipse too has an extensive list of plugins you can use to enhance its functionalities.

  • It is mainly coded in Java for the purpose of helping other to code with Java.
  • Eclipse is ideal for creating cross-platform Java applications.
  • It features intelliSense which is a context-aware code completion feature.
  • Syntax checking functions are also provided to help you be aware of your coding errors as you write.
  • Refactoring features are also provided that can help you with renaming functions, variables, and classes.
  • It comes with an integrated Windows Builder.
  • Through the plugins, you will get multi-language support with C/C++, JavaScript, PHP, Python, and others.
  • Eclipse is available under an Eclipse Public License.
  • It is supported on Windows, Linux, and Mac OS X.

Eclipse is a good alternative for your Java IDE if all you want is a quick and efficient way for writing codes while leaving most of the code writing an aspect to the program itself. It also comes with plugins which will help you by providing extra features.

Android Studio

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Android Studio is the Java IDE which comes from the people at Google to help developers built apps for Google’s mobile platform – Android. Originally the source code for Android Studio was developed by JetBrains for the IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition IDE. The software is now freely available for download under the Apache License 2.0.

  • The software offers a Gradle-based build system.
  • It has a rich layout editor which can also help with theme editing.
  • It also has lint tools that will help to determine performance issues as well as usability, version compatibility and other things.
  • It also has an expanded template support for Google Services and Various device types.
  • Some of its other features include ProGuard along with app-signing capabilities.
  • There is built-in support for Google Cloud platform, and you can also configure the projects with the help of JDK (Java Development Kit) 7 or JDK 6.
  • It is available on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.
  • It is Google’s primary and official IDE for Android Application development.
  • Android Studio, as mentioned earlier is based off IntelliJ which makes it quite fast and light with more features.

Overall, if all your wanting to do with your Java IDE is develop Android applications, then Android Studio is your ideal choice. Google has announced that they will not be directly supporting any other IDE for Android development. Furthermore, other IDE will be filled with options which will not be directly linked with Android development and hence you will not be using them. With Android Studio you get all a compact solution for all your Android Development needs.

BlueJ

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BlueJ is an open source Java IDE that has been built to facilitate learning and knowledge of Java and Object Oriented Programming in general. If you are a beginner in this field but an enthusiast nevertheless trying to concur the world of Java coding then you might lose all your hype when you face with all the options and functions provided by advanced IDEs like NetBeans. You might not also be aware of how to use them properly. BlueJ is the ideal bridge between an amateur and an advanced Java developer. The software is free and is licensed under GNU GPL.

  • The software promotes learning.
  • It is also suitable for small software projects.
  • The interface is very basic, and the beginner can easily get the hang of it.
  • Classes and objects can be visualized in a straightforward and easy way.
  • It is a powerful graphical shell/REPL of Java.
  • The software works on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.
  • It can also be used without installing just from a USB drive.

Overall if you want to learn Java or just want a quick and cluttered free way of coding a small project, then BlueJ is a great alternative. Again if you are a teacher then you will benefit from the visual style used by BlueJ, many universities and colleges use BlueJ in their teaching courses.

IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition

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IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition is the free and open source version of the popular IntelliJ IDEA Java IDE. The free version does lack some features that are available with the paid version known as IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate. But overall IntelliJ IDEA is a powerful Java IDEA with a massive user base.

  • The software is mainly used for Android app development along with Java SE and Java programming.
  • Scala, Groovy and XML codes can also be used with the software.
  • The software is extremely lightweight in comparison to its competitors and also very fast.
  • There are features like Junit testing and TestNG supported by the software.
  • Maven build tools, as well as Ant and visual GUI builder, is also provided.
  • It also has an intelligent code completion editor which can help with Java coding as well as XML and Groovy.
  • Refactoring, fast navigation, and search options are provided.
  • The software also comes with the popular Swing UI designer.

Overall with the addition of Android Studio, IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition can’t be considered as the default Android app development tool, but it is still useful for Java application development in general. Plus if you are bored with NetBeans or Eclipse then this will be a breath of fresh air.

Conclusion

So here was our concise list on the top Java IDE currently available in the market. From your desire of something with extensive options to one which is basic and clutter free, one of the software provided here will easily meet your Java application development needs.

Tell us your experience in the comments about using the software which was mentioned here. This will add more info about the benefits you found in using these which we would love to know.

Again if we haven’t mentioned one of your favorite Java IDE in this list which you happen to think of to be the best, then tell us in the comments. You will be actually helping us to enlarge this list and hence help your fellow readers as well.

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