Discover faster, more efficient performance monitoring with an enterprise APM product learning from your apps. Take the AppDynamics APM Guided Tour!
Whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been at it for a while, programming with the right tools can make a huge difference in a project’s success. The proper tools allow you to write better code and to quickly identify bugs. All of this makes your code better. Period.
If your programming language of choice is Java, there is no shortage of tools to cover every aspect of Java development, from coding and testing to server integration and documentation. Let’s explore the best of the best.
Java Editors and Development
1. Java Development Kit (JDK)
JDK is a must-have tool for anyone who plans on developing applets and applications. It includes the Java Runtime Environment, Java compiler, and Java APIs. In other words, it has everything you need to get started, from beginners to experienced programmers new to Java.
2. NetBeans
When it comes to Java, NetBeans is one of the most popular IDEs. It’s open-source and comes with powerful features including:
- Support for multiple languages
- A rich set of plugins such as ResinTemplateModule for Java and PHP; a plugin to develop native Java apps for iOS, Android, and Windows; CSS minifier; and more
- Out-of-the-box Git and Maven integration
- Debugger and Profiles to help analyze and fix bugs in your code
3. Eclipse IDE
Eclipse IDE, another favorite, is used by 54 percent of Java developers. Like NetBeans, it’s open-source and comes with a wide array of plugins and a customizable interface too. Among a slew of other features, it comes with code completion assistance, syntax checking, and refactoring.
4. Groovy
Groovy is not an editor but rather a programming language that extends Java’s capabilities by adding new keywords along with auto-importing commonly used classes and optionally typed variable declarations. It also comes with powerful scripting capabilities that allow you to compile classes as Java bytecode or execute them dynamically via the Groovy Shell.
Testing
1. Mockito
Mockito serves as mocking framework that allows you to create and use simplified versions of objects and procedures for the purposes of automated unit testing. Thanks to its simple and clean API—as well as the fact that you can ask questions after the execution of the program—many programmers consider Mockito a favorite. Mockito can also:
- Mock concrete classes as well as interfaces
- Provide clean verification errors
- Allow flexible verification in the order you specify
- Support exact-number-of-times and at-least-once verification
2. JRat
JRat (Java Runtime Analysis Toolkit) is a performance profiler for the Java platform. It monitors an application’s execution and persists performance measurements, and then allows you to view and analyze the data using the JRat Desktop application. Use it to identify potential problem areas that may impact the performance of your application.
3. JUnit
JUnit is a unit-testing tool that lets you test your code one block at a time. In other words, you don’t have to wait until you’re completely done writing the code to test it. Features include:
- Assertions for testing expected results
- Test fixtures for sharing common test data
- Test runners for running tests
Integration
1. Apache Ant
Developed by Apache, this tool supplies you with built-in tasks that not only help develop and compile Java applications but also test them, and help automate repetitive tasks.
2. Apache Maven
Maven, favored by 68 percent of Java developers, is a project management build tool that provides a uniform build system, quality project information, and guidelines for best practices development. The main features of Maven include:
- Simple project setup that follows best practices
- Superior dependency management, including automatic updating and dependency closures
- Ability to easily work with multiple projects at the same time
- A large and growing repository of libraries and metadata
- Extensible via plugins written in Java or scripting languages
3. Gradle
Gradle is a build automation system that among other functions automates the building, testing, and deployment of software packages as well as other types of projects. It combines the best features of ANT with the superior dependency management of Maven, giving you the best of both worlds and a better way to code.
Security
1. FindBugs
Like the name suggests, this tool helps identify bugs in your code by matching your document against a database of known bugs. It can be used as a standalone GUI or as a plugin for many code editors, including Eclipse and NetBeans.
2. SonarQube
SonarQube gives you access to an entire platform to analyze your code for bugs and vulnerabilities. Features include:
- Reports on duplicated code, coding standards, unit tests, code coverage, complex code, potential bugs, and more
- Integration with most continuous integration tools
- Multi-language support
Servers
1. Apache Tomcat
Apache Tomcat is one of the most popular web servers. It implements a number of Java EE specifications such as Java Servlet, JavaServer Pages (JSP), Java EL, and WebSocket. It also gives you an HTTP server environment in which to run your code.
2. WildFly
Another popular server is WildFly, which was developed by Red Hat. It implements the Enterprise Edition of the Java Platform, giving you access to enterprise capabilities on any platform.
Improve Your Java Skills
Programming can be a lot of fun when you have the right tools for the job. Take your Java skills to the next level by learning to use the most popular tools in the field.
Discover faster, more efficient performance monitoring with an enterprise APM product learning from your apps. Take the AppDynamics APM Guided Tour!
The publication uses statistics for the year 2015. Correct that it was in 2015. To date, half the points are wrong.
Eclipse? NetBeans? Really??? Try IntelliJ and you’ll never back to Eclipse or NetBeans.
Thanks for sharing this Java related blogs. I am going to read this and I am sure to grasp something new related to Java programming from these blogs. Thanks again for sharing so interesting links to refer and research.