Java Programming/Development Tools
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[edit] Introduction
Java development tools come in two flavors: command-line tools and integrated development environments (IDE's).
[edit] Command Line Tools
[edit] Java Development Kit
The Java Development Kit (JDK) can be downloaded from Sun Microsystem's Java web page at http://java.sun.com
The JDK includes both the compiler (javac) and the Java Runtime Environment (JRE), as well as a variety of other tools and utilities. The compiler is needed to create Java binary files (.class files) and the JRE is needed to run them.
[edit] Ant
Ant is a build tool that can assist in building and running Java projects. It runs through a sequence of instructions in a specially written XML file, composed of various "tasks". Ant has a wide array of built in tasks and provides support for the addition of new ones. http://ant.apache.org/
[edit] Maven
Maven is a project management tool that attempts to standardise project layout and structure. Much like ant, it provides pre-defined tasks for compiling, testing and documentation. Maven attempts to store more than simple build information, though. Its goal is to "encapsulate all of the project knowledge in one area". http://maven.apache.org/
[edit] IDE's
A typical IDE combines an editor, compiler, and debugger into one unified development system. Most IDE's also provide a way of combining several Java files into a project .
[edit] BlueJ ( http://www.bluej.org )
BlueJ is designed as a teaching tool. Most notably, BlueJ incorporates a UML class diagram editor in addition to the standard editor/compiler/debugger. The advantage to BlueJ is that if you are not an OO developer, this will have you thinking in OO in an amazingly short amount of time.
[edit] NetBeans ( http://www.netbeans.org/ )
NetBeans is picking up a lot of steam. It's free and it's the closest thing to an "Official" environment. It has a good plug-in structure and is a Very Active Project.
[edit] Eclipse (http://www.eclipse.org )
Eclipse is a universal tool platform with roots as a Java IDE. It combines a robust, full-featured Java development environment with a very flexible plugin system, and is one of the most widely used Java IDEs in existence. One of the main advantages of Eclipse is that it is not limited to just Java. Plugin support is available for things as varied as database access, UML modeling, testing and integration, business intelligence reporting, and C++ development. Best of all, it is open source and free.
[edit] Borland JBuilder Foundation ( http://www.borland.com/jbuilder/foundation/ )
Develop on the Microsoft® Windows,® Linux,® Solaris,™ and Mac OS® X platforms. Speed coding and debugging with an integrated, powerful source code editor, graphical debugger, compiler, visual designers, timesaving wizards, tutorials, and sample applications. Extend JBuilder using the included OpenTools API. JBuilder Foundation delivers a standards-based environment with plenty of integrated productivity features, including refactoring, code formatting, CodeInsight,™ ErrorInsight,™ Ant support, unit testing, Swing designer, and CVS version control. Best of all, it's free—even for commercial use. No registration required.
[edit] JCreator ( http://www.jcreator.com )
The look and feel of JCreator is very similar to Microsoft Visual Studio. Both free and paid versions are available.
[edit] Other IDE's
A comprehensive list of Java IDE's can be found at http://www.javaworld.com/channel_content/jw-applied-index.html
[edit] UML Tool's
A tool for UML modeling.
[edit] Visual Paradigm for UML
It is an easy-to-use visual UML modeling and CASE tool. The tool is designed for a wide range of users, including Software Engineers, System Analysts, Business Analysts, System Architects alike, who are interested in building software systems reliably through the use of the Object-Oriented approach. It facilitates excellent interoperability with other UML CASE tools and most of the leading IDEs which excels your entire Model-Code-Deploy development process in this one-stop-shopping solution. http://www.visual-paradigm.com/vpuml.php
