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Spending time on Java applications is indispensable if you are a web developer or planning to make software. And you know what they say? “You are as good as your tools are!” This article aims to give a peek into the best Java tools that ensure seamless development.
Java development tools have contributed to the longevity of Java's relevance in the industry. Only a handful of technologies hold the caliber to hang around for over 20 years and be relevant in the industry. With the onslaught of other programming languages in the application development industry, Java continues to be one of the most loved languages. Released in 1995, it stands as the fifth most widely used language worldwide, and that too for all good reasons. Its dynamic performance and flexibility make it a perfect choice for IoT, enterprise, and Android apps.
Further, a survey revealed almost 65% of respondents use Java. It is the most uncomplicated language to learn and gives you the power to frame apps however you want to stay ahead of the curve.
Do you have an app idea that you wish to turn into reality? Then, remember not to exclude this commercial-grade programming language! Utilizing Java development tools is one of the ways to ensure you have adequate and practical Java code. Don’t know what they are? Or which should you use? Worry not! This blog will walk you through a curated list of solutions that address your problems. So keep reading to learn about the top-tier Java development tools for developers!
Regardless of how small or large your application is, it must go through a specific series of processes. You can do it manually, of course. However, testing and configuring the apps is arduous and takes significant time. The average time to create an app from scratch is about 7-12 months.
Luckily, numerous tools ensure the tiring tasks don’t weigh the development process down. Java programs can run on multiple platforms; of course, there is no shortage of tools. Here is a list of notable Java development tools for developers.
SonarQube is a Quality Assurance tool that gathers and verifies code. It allows you to measure quality continuously and merges dynamic and static analysis. The open-source platform offers code quality metrics, continuous inspection, and issue-tracking capabilities.
It presents a static analysis and promises code readability and application security. It ensures your code base is clean and rational, thus, minimizing technical debt. It analyzes code from multiple aspects and unveils the problematic area that warrants improvement.
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NetBeans is an open-source IDE (Integrated Development Environment). It sets the standard for end-to-end app development with improved speed and Java application performance. The project management tool runs on a modular architecture and leverages many Java development tools.
It harbors a development cycle from the inception of a plan to deployment. NetBeans supplies code editors, templates, and wizards to help Java developers build web, mobile, and desktop applications. It also caters to front-end designers by writing cleaner and safer code per the drag-and-drop feature.
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Jenkins CI is yet another open-source testing framework written in Java programming. It is an automation server-based system that assists in finding and resolving faults in code and automating it. It collaborates with all primary tools and inhabits a rich API to simplify the implementation and boost integration.
You can use Jenkins to deploy color-coded source code into production and automate the rest of the building process. Further, you can integrate it with other platforms like Slack to observe the viability of the process. It promotes transparent development frameworks and ensures no broken code enters the production.
Also Read: 20 Reasons to Choose Java for Backend Development
Maven is a trendy open-source build tool to develop, publish, and deploy multiple projects simultaneously for optimal project management. Several software developers employ the platform to engineer robust and reliable Java applications. It aims to refine the app creation by furnishing reports, checking builds, running tests for automation setups, and dependency management.
Maven is the cornerstone of Java development tools and assists in managing a project’s build, reporting, and documenting. It is a Project Object Model (POM). Its XML-based configuration model simplifies the outline and allows you to execute the project. It takes over complicated concepts and cuts them down into digestible pieces.
Want to turn the compiled files back to the source code? Java Decompiler works the opposite of the compiler function. It is the reverse process to decompile class files. However, it does not return the replica of the code. You lose some of the information during the program compilation.
In addition, the transformation is not one-to-one. It offers a command-line interface and converts ‘.class’ files into Java files. The unmaintained decompiler beautifies the Java code lines to increase readability.
Developers often employ various reusable code pieces to materialize their app idea. You may find it exciting and easy, but such executions typically mess up the project. Your proficiency, work schedule, and understanding of the project cast a shadow on the process.
Relying solely on existing code can compromise product quality and delay timelines. That is where IntelliJ Idea enters the game! You can save time on Java projects and increases productivity. It mitigates monotonous and risky tasks and maintains uniformity in the apps.
While you use NetBeans to create engaging web and desktop apps, you can depend on Android Studio for premier Android applications. The free Java development tool provides quicker coding and workflow iteration. It comes with Lint tools, Android-specific refactoring tools, etc.
Java platform does not contain all the code, and users may be unable to run specific codes on their devices. Android Studio understands that; hence, it furnishes support and integrations from other programming languages like C++ and NDK.
JUnit is an open-source testing framework or tool for Java language. It facilitates unit testing. It is an essential tool and forms unit testing frameworks collectively called xUnit. You can use JUnit to write and test code.
You can write and execute redundant, automated tests. JUnit follows a ‘first testing, then coding’ approach, emphasizing first setting up the code to test and later implement. It reduces app debugging time by enhancing productivity and stabilizing the program code.
Do you wish to design an Android application? Gradle is here to help you and make it easier! It ensures you generate an APK from files in the most efficient manner. Gradle is a build automation tool that can automate application development. It is known for building large projects and software.
If you liked ANT and Maven, then you will surely love Gradle. It possesses the perks of both and curbs their cons. This concise and comprehension tool helps you build, test, and deploy software on several platforms. It typically implies smaller configuration files and less clutter.
VisualVM is one of the sought-after Java development tools thanks to its exceptional offerings. It provides a visual interface that allows you to access profound and detailed information about remote and local Java applications. It utilizes and combines some command-line tools and bundles them up to peek into the applications within Java Virtual Machine (JVM).
VisualVM helps track memory leaks, analyze data, and monitor the garbage collector and profiler CPU. You don’t need to do anything to get the tool. It is available in the Java Development Kit (JDK) bin directory.
You must get the hang of Java development tools if you are a Java developer. In addition to the mentioned solutions, Java applets, Cobertura, Groovy, Eclipse, Web Socket annotations, Git, Java servlet, and Selenium are among the itinerant tools. Do you know what is better? Numerous Java development tools guarantee a pleasant development experience with integrated version control systems. And that’s all for free!
You can learn the listed elements to streamline both development and production. Adequate Java programming tools will aid you in leveling up and distinguish you from the average developer. You may view Java as a piece of cake, but it might be challenging for someone else. However, the reality remains! You will undoubtedly need Java development tools for developers if you wish to develop and create apps.