When we talk about popular programming languages, it’s important to talk about Java.
According to a ZDNet, Java is the most popular primary programming language declared by JetBrains in its State of Developer Ecosystem 2020 report.
One of the reasons why Java still rules over Python and JavaScript as the primary language is the versatile nature of Java.
Because of its popularity, Java has many IDE’s that a user can use.
Here, I’m going to discuss the best popular Java IDEs considered by the developers.
1. Eclipse
Eclipse Java IDE is one of the most popular free Java IDE among developers.
It is mostly written in Java and its primary use was to develop Java applications but, later it may also be used to develop applications in other programming languages via plug-ins.
Platform – Linux/macOS/Solaris/Windows
Some of the basics features of eclipse IDE are:
- For creating specific functionalities in their applications, PDE (Plugin Development Environment) is available in Eclipse for Java programmers.
- Interfaces for embedding into host environments.
- Eclipse software development kit (SDK) is free and open-source software, released under the terms of the Eclipse Public License.
- All files can be viewed and managed on the same screen.
- It can also be used to develop documents with LaTeX (via a TeXlipse plug-in) and packages for the software Mathematica.
To download and install the eclipse IDEs, go through: ‘How to download and install Java Eclipse?’
2. NetBeans
Another name in the popular Java IDEs is NetBeans. It is also a free Java IDE.
NetBeans is an open-source IDE that allows Java programmers to build various applications using module sets.
Platform – Linux/macOS/Solaris/Windows
Some of the basics features of NetBeans IDE are:
- It is available in a feature-limited OS-independent version.
- Inbuilt tools in NetBeans makes it possible to refactor the code as well as writing bug-free code.
- It is quite simple to create custom software applications using NetBeans as it highlights Java code syntactically as well as semantically.
- NetBeans is primarily a Java IDE, but it has extensions for working in other programming languages such as C, C++, HTML5, JavaScript, PHP etc.
To download and install the NetBeans IDEs, go through: ‘How to download and install NetBeans IDE?’
3. IntelliJ IDEA
IntelliJ IDEA is a Java IDE that is considered among one of the 3 biggest and most popular IDE’s in the world.
IntelliJ IDEA has two versions, named as free open-source community edition and a paid Ultimate edition.
Platform – Linux/macOS/Windows
Some of the basics features of IntelliJ IDEA are:
- Both versions of IntelliJ IDEA support various programming languages like Java, Scala, Kotlin, Groovy, etc.
- IntelliJ IDEA makes programming simple by using features such as debugging, code completion, code inspections, XML editing support, code refactoring, unit testing, etc.
- There are some of the other tools also that are only offered in the paid Ultimate version duplicate detection, JavaScript and database tools, Perforce integration, etc.
To download and install the IntelliJ IDEA, go through: ‘How to download and install IntelliJ IDEA?’
4. BlueJ
BlueJ is an IDE(integrated development environment) for Java.
Well, it was originally developed for educational purposes, it is also useful in software development, although on a smaller scale.
Platform – Linux/macOS/Windows
Some of the basics features of BlueJ are:
- The basic design of BlueJ is different from other IDE’s as it was mainly created for beginners to teach OOPs concept.
- The main screen on BlueJ shows the class structure of the current development application where objects can be easily accessed and modified.
- The multi-platform Java IDE allows programmers to interact effortlessly with objects.
- All the OOPS elements like classes, objects, etc. can be easily represented on BlueJ.
- Runs on multiple platforms.
To download and install the BlueJ IDEs, go through: ‘How to download and install Java BlueJ?’
5. jGRASP
jGRASP is a lightweight Java IDE that is written using Java and can run on all platforms using a JVM(Java version 1.6 or higher).
jGRASP is a development environment with the automatic creation of software visualizations.
The letter “j” in jGRASP essentially means it runs on the JVM(Java Virtual Machine).
Platform – Linux/macOS/Windows
Some of the basics features of jGRASP are:
- For languages other than Java, jGRASP is a source code editor.
- jGRASP uses the cross-platform operating system.
- jGRASP has the ability to produce CSDs (Control Structure Diagrams) for other programming languages.
- Apart from offering an integrated debugger and a workbench for Java developers, jGRASP also allows the generation of complexity profile graphs and UML class diagrams.
To download and install the jGRASP IDEs, go through: ‘How to download and install Java jGRASP?’
6. JCreator
JCreator is a lightweight Java IDE, developed by Xinox Software.
JCreator was entirely developed using C++ language which makes it faster than any other Java IDE’s.
JCreator includes three editions: Lite Edition(LE), Pro Edition(PE), and Lite-Pro Edition (LE-PRO).
JCreator is only available on the Windows operating system. However, both the LE and Pro versions of JCreator run adequately on Linux (using Wine).
Platform- Linux (via Wine)/Windows
Some of the basics features of JCreator are:
- It doesn’t require a JRE for executing Java code.
- Quick code writing via project templates.
- Robot packages can be uploaded, also by using inheritance the users can create new variables, objects and classes as well as methods.
- Debugging with an easy, intuitive interface. No command-line prompts necessary
To download and install the JCreator IDEs, go through: ‘How to download and install JCreator IDE.’
Conclusion:
As we had seen here, there are lots of options for the Java developers to choose the IDEs according to their needs.
It includes various options ranging from fully-featured commercial software to free and open-source IDEs.
According to me, the selection of the IDE depends upon your current project and personal preference. Right!
And, there are several other Java IDEs nowadays, But I tried to provide you with the best IDE so that, it’ll become easy for you to choose.
If you are new to the Java programming language, you can also get the tutorials from here: Learn Java.
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