[mapmd1234]

Ok, so I'm TRYING. To build an rog in visual studios 2010 vb.net, but visual studios vb.net IDE has decided to die on me for the second time, and thus far, I can't get it fixed...so my question to you all, is is there a java IDE that is the equivelent of visual studios vb.net and its intelisence technologies?? I need something similar, due to me going to be a novice and newbie to java, yet something that is also powerful that I will be able to use for once I become knowledged enough to hold my own in java...I have a java handbook that I plan on reading when I get the time, but until then, ill need something simple enough to use, with some power to it once I know enough...

Hoping for something with similar capabilities to visual studios, in regards to a similar debugger, and hopefully an intelisence mock up feature...but its past my break now, so I must get back to work...ill check back later...

The only IDE for java that I've heard of is eclipse, but I've never used it...

[TheCompBoy]

I think one of the most popular Java IDE's is NetBeans: http://netbeans.org/

But eclise is very good too.

[g00se]

There are two main ones: Eclipse, which you mentioned, and NetBeans. I would try both and see which you like. If you're going to be going for drag and drop gui design, NetBeans has a relatively good visual editor. With Eclipse you need to install plugins

[mapmd1234]

Thank you both for your input on this mater...it sounds like ill like netbeans better, but given the two suggestions, ill look into both...and that's one of the things I liked so much about vb.net, was the visual builder...so ill try bthem both...thanks very much...

[Ghlavac]

Netbeans and Eclipse are the big ones, but it comes down to personal preference after that, eclipse has better support for additional functions with its software add wizard and such (I'm partial to windowbuilder from google instead of built in designers like netbeans) but it all comes down to what you like.

[Fuzzyness]

If you are leaning towards NetBeans IDE simply because of the Drag and Drop GUI Builder then I advise to you reconsider. NetBeans GUI builder produces horrendous code that is difficult for humans to read which makes it difficult to troubleshoot problems. There are many who will see you code, tell you what I just did, and move on. Honestly, you should not use a Drag and Drop anything in coding, you will need to know how to hard code it so you really shouldn't base your decision off of a visual editor. What will you do in an interview when the boss asks you to make a simple GUI in Notepad? Its not very visual!

Just something to consider. Best of luck.

[Ghlavac]

Fuzzy, there are some drag and drop that can be used in tandem with hand-written code (WindowBuilder) that actually reflect your changes without having to have a fixed structure in your file, so they aren't -all- bad assuming you know your way around it and the underlying layout manager you use.

[g00se]

Fuzzyness is generally right, and you certainly shouldn't see using drag and drop as a replacement for learning how Java layout managers work. When you have learnt that, it's perfectly possible to use drag and drop in NetBeans whilst still using classic layouts, such as FlowLayout, BorderLayout, GridLayout etc. and get the benefit of RAD development at the same time

[blackcompe]

Ghlavac, on 24 December 2011 - 01:26 PM, said:

Fuzzy, there are some drag and drop that can be used in tandem with hand-written code (WindowBuilder) that actually reflect your changes without having to have a fixed structure in your file, so they aren't -all- bad assuming you know your way around it and the underlying layout manager you use.

I agree. I use WindowBuilder Pro and I love it. I haven't found the generated code to be problematic at all. I do remember NetBeans having locked sections of code, which is ridiculous. WBP uses intuitive variable naming as well. However, you will need to be comfortable writing GUI code, because you'll almost certainly have to write a panel with custom graphics. WBP makes that easy too. I can create a better GUI 20x faster in WBP. Also, GUI editors make it easier to discover component properties that you'd probably overlook in the API.

In regards to the choice of IDE, I used Netbeans for a while, mainly for the UML editor (older versions), GUI builder, and J2EE container integration, but I found free Eclipse plug-ins that are just as good or better. In the past, developers complained about Eclipse's installation environment, but since then it has improved drastically. The major reason Eclipse has market share is because of its plug-ins which improve productivity greatly. I can't imagine that any developer working on a mid-to-large size project is using NetBeans. Eclipse's re-factoring tools are unparalleled. When I use NetBeans I feel like it has "just enough." When I use Eclipse it has everything I could ever want and more. It's like buying a new PC! These things may not be as important to you now, but you'll slowly start using them over time, and you'll become a better developer.

If your at a crossroad, my recommendation is to go with Eclipse. The more familiar you are with development, the easier the transition will be, but the learning curve is pretty much the same for all IDE's. WBP is *incredibly* easy to install. And lastly, Goose mentioned that GUI builder is no replacement for learning layout managers. That's true, but having a GUI builder generate the design your looking for while inspecting its logic can definitely be helpful. I've learnt a great deal from WBP. Goose also mentions using GUI builders for RAD (Rapid Application Development). I absolutely concur. Would you really depend on hand-coding techniques to knock out user interface prototypes in a timely manner? No. Still, I"d use WBP to knock out the production code.

If I haven't sold you yet, just take a look at Eclipse's beautiful look and feel, versus NetBeans ugly plain Java look.

Good luck.

This post has been edited by blackcompe: 24 December 2011 - 03:09 PM

[macosxnerd101]

We have a nine page thread on this pinned in Java Programmers. I'm going to close this thread to direct discussion there.