9 Indispensable Java Development Tools Developers Must Use

Have you recently started to embark on a path to become the best Java developer there is? In that case, you should probably know some tools that can make a difference. It doesn’t matter whether you are a pro Java developer or a beginner. This set of tools would help you code, find, and fix mistakes to cope with the pressure of a Java app development project. It is almost 28 years since Java first busted out into the public domain.

From the first day on to the present scenario, the number of Java developers and users has continued to grow rapidly. During the early days, there weren’t many tools for Java programmers to use. However, nowadays, there are too many options to choose from, and some are already being discussed in this article. Going through this article, you will come across 9 fundamental Java development tools that Java developers should add to their toolkits.

Brief Overview of Java Application Development Tools

Before we go into a detailed discussion about popular Java tools listed in this article, understanding what Java tools are would be a great idea. In simple words, Java tools are specific software tools that specialize in building, creating, maintaining, debugging, testing, or troubleshooting and monitoring Java applications efficiently.

Most importantly, the main function of Java tools is to assist and aid programmers in the development of Java applications. Previously, Java programmers only had a few options in their hands while trying to structure a reliable Java application.

However, some tools like Eclipse, Maven, and Gradle can reduce the manual tasking required for Java application development. To know the history of Java and its evolution, read this article too.

List of Top 9 Java Development Tools

1. Eclipse

One of the qualities that move Eclipse to the top of Java development tools is its open-source and free availability. This feature makes it easily accessible for individuals and organizations alike. Compared to some Java development tools, you wouldn’t have to pay any licensing costs.

Eclipse possesses the capability of extending its plug-ins to allow developers to add multiple functions proportionally. This means Eclipse can be used not only for Java development but also for C/C++. PHP and other programming languages.

Nonetheless, beginner Java developers could encounter some problems in understanding the Eclipse interface.

2. Maven

When it comes to tools that automate the process of compiling, testing, documentation, and building an efficient Java application. Maven could be the first choice that Java developers should rely upon.

Maven is mostly popular for its dependencies while trying to build a Java application. The well-defined project lifecycle feature of Maven makes it a top choice in Java development tools. Using this tool, you can also indulge in code analysis, testing coverage, and other integration aspects effectively.

However, when developers are trying to work on a large Java project, Maven might not be the tool for them.

3. Gradle

Similar to Eclipse, Gradle is also an open-source automation tool that Java programmers can use when working on a variety of projects. From mobile applications to microservices, all of them are smoothly accessible through Gradle.

Even C++ and Python developers can use this tool to build, automate, and deliver faster applications. Most significantly, its rich API and different plug-in integrations help programmers systemize their software delivery.

Gradle has an excellent mechanism in place for managing and resolving dependencies thoroughly. However, for small projects, this Java application development tool might not be the ideal choice as other tools could do those tasks efficiently.

4. Git

Compared to other Java development tools, Git could be the most popular one out there. Its main purpose is to track changes happening in source code while doing software development. This allows multiple developers to work or collaborate on a single project efficiently.

Using Git, each developer receives a copy of the whole project. This makes it easier for individuals to make changes while pushing the codes to supreme quality.

Moreover, the added quality of branching and merging in Git makes development and bug fixing an easier task.

5. SonarQube

Even though there are numerous tools for Java developers, none of them can be considered as effective as SonarQube. This Java enhancement tool is used to improve the quality of Java applications. SonarQube is also an open-source tool that is used for continuous code inspection and static code analysis.

It has the power to conduct automated code analysis to detect bugs, code vulnerabilities, defects, or other discrepancies. Additionally, the reports collected through SonarQube can be used to check code security, code complexities, test coverage, code style, etc.

This leads to the creation of a Java application that is easily readable, safe, and reliable. Most astonishingly, SonarQube is used to support a staggering 29 programming languages, and Java is one of them.

6. Spring

Yet another popular Java tool that developers are known to extensively use for their applications is Spring. It is mostly used to build Java enterprises and web applications with robust features and wider scalability.

However, the strength of this Java tool lies in aspect-oriented programming and Dependency Injection programming sections. Meanwhile, Spring is a part of the meta-framework that comprises Spring Web Flow, Spring MVC, Spring ORM, and other categories of frameworks.

Spring has been part of the Java development program since early 2002, making it one of the oldest in its family. Therefore, the Java developers must have a thorough understanding of this tool.

7. Jenkins

Jenkins is also a popular open-source Java development tool that helps streamline software development. It is mainly responsible for automating parts of the overall development process that are concerned with building, testing, and deploying software.

Being a Java developer, if you are looking to implement continuous integration and continuous deployment. Choosing Jenkins could be the best decision as it is built and tested for such software projects.

The most renowned advantage of choosing Jenkins is the support of 1000+ plug-ins. This feature allows Jenkins to be used for software development across multiple platforms.

8. Java VisualVM

As a Java developer, did you encounter difficulties understanding Java applications while they operated on a Java virtual machine? In that case, choosing to rely on Java VisualVM could be a great pick. It is a Java profiler or performance enhancement tool that provides a detailed view of Java applications running on JVM.

Moreover, Java VisualVM works exceptionally well for both local and remote applications to display data of multiple projects. This data is captured and shown to developers with the help of the Java Development Kit in JVM. Additionally, Visual VM also allows Java developers to detect memory leaks through CPU profiling and surveying garbage collectors.

9. Selenium

The Java developers who are looking for tools regarding web application development. For them, choosing to rely on Selenium could be a great way to ensure maximum quality. The portable framework of Selenium is responsible for automating browsers and administrating tasks.

Adding to those features, Selenium also extends support for several browser vendors. Yet another special quality that has made Selenium a huge among Java tools is its categorization into two parts. One is Selenium WebDriver, and the other is Selenium IDE, which has different responsibilities.

Selenium WebDriver is used to create browser-based regression automation and script scaling. Meanwhile, Selenium IDE is used to fix bugs and explore extended testing domains.

Why Are Java Development Tools Necessary for Java Developers?

The Java Development Tools are of utmost necessity to Java developers as they make writing Java programs significantly easier. The majority of those Java tools are known to help as compilers, debuggers, and other utilities as required. However, all of those functions are necessary to develop and run Java application codes seamlessly.

Moreover, using the right set of Java development tools, the Java programs can be used efficiently on any device or operating system. Therefore, it makes a strong case for Java to become a versatile and widely used programming language.

Conclusion

Here, you have 9 essential Java tools that can redefine the work of Java developers comfortably. It would bring massive improvements in writing Java codes, making them better and faster than other instances. However, this list is not the end of Java tools as there are plenty more of them to choose from. But the ones mentioned in this article are proven to be the best out of all.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

Which tool is mostly used in Java programming?

Eclipse, falling in the category of integrated development environments, might be the most widely used Java development.

What is IDE in Java?

IDE stands for Integrated Development Environment, which is a software application that specializes in helping programmers develop software codes effectively.

Who is responsible for controlling the Java development company?

Oracle Corporation is the company responsible for controlling all the activities related to Java.