Java

[hui__lim]

I'm a computer science under graduate and am learning Java at the moment. Can anyone recommend any decent Java programming software (preferably freeware but if its an excellent Java writting software, I don't mind parting with my cash. Currently, I'm using CodeGuide by OmniCore and I think its a brilliant piece of software with colour coding (a must have feature, and highlights mistakes that you have done, much like spelling mistakes but Java mistakes)
Thanks in advance!!!

[Catfish_Man]

Eclipse all the way. It's ugly and slow, but damn does it kick ass. Real time syntax checking, nice debugger, refactoring tools (<-- spiffy), autocorrect, premade templates for bunches of stuff, etc...

[lmalave]

For free Java editors I still like Emacs. It does syntax highlighting, brace matching, etc. You can also download the JDE development environment for Emacs, which adds a debugger, etc., but I don't use it.

[lmalave]

Originally posted by Catfish_Man
Eclipse all the way. It's ugly and slow, but damn does it kick ass. Real time syntax checking, nice debugger, refactoring tools (<-- spiffy), autocorrect, premade templates for bunches of stuff, etc...

Hmm, I'll check it out. I'm still looking for a Java IDE for the Mac that's as good as Visual Cafe for Windows.

[NavyIntel007]

Hydra and the devlopers tools

[hui__lim]

Can you please post the webpage for eclipse, I went to google and searched it and the result i came up with was an old version that didnt work with OSX. Cheers!

[sageenos]

Project Builder is a very nice IDE and it handles java well. It packages all your classes and whatnot into jar files, which is pretty nice.

But, if you're more of a minimalist, I would definitely recommend Hydra and Terminal. Just code in Hydra then compile on the command line with javac.

CodeGuide sounds like a good piece of software though. I would just try out whatever IDE's you find and choose what seems best.

[evildead]

Just use Apple's Project Builder... its a very nice enviornment and it's simple. Great for a student. I am a CS major (about to finnish) and I have used many enviornments for school and work (I work in industry) and I like Project Builder the best.

I have used:

CodeWarrior
Sun OneSudio (was called Forte)
webgain
Borland JBuilder
MS J++
VI and the JDK
BlueJ
Project Builder

... for JAVA

[hui__lim]

Erm... I kinda lost the website as to where to download Project Builder from. Could some kind soul please post it. Thanks

[Wes]

Eclipse

http://eclipse.planetmirror.com/downloads/drops/R-2.1-200303272130/eclipse-SDK-2.1-macosx-carbon.zip

Hope that works, I'm downloading it now :D

[agp]

It came with OS X. Just install the developer CD that came with your machine or when you purchased OS X. Once installed you can locate it in /Developer/Applications.

[Taft]

Give IntelliJ's IDEA a shot. It doesn't have a GUI builder, but its still the best IDE I've ever used.

Get it at www.intellij.com. (Free trial version, 300$ a copy for a license).

Taft

[cubist]

What's Hydra? Is it a good editor?

I use javac and nmake, but editing with vi is a little rough because of the ^M vs. ^J (\n) line ending problem.

(Explanation: Old Mac text files have lines ending with 0x0D, aka ^M, aka CR. PC text files have lines ending with 0x0D 0x0A, aka ^M^J, aka CRLF. Unix text files have lines ending with 0x0A, aka ^J, aka LF. Vi only likes the latter.)

[Taft]

Originally posted by cubist
What's Hydra? Is it a good editor?

I use javac and nmake, but editing with vi is a little rough because of the ^M vs. ^J (\n) line ending problem.

(Explanation: Old Mac text files have lines ending with 0x0D, aka ^M, aka CR. PC text files have lines ending with 0x0D 0x0A, aka ^M^J, aka CRLF. Unix text files have lines ending with 0x0A, aka ^J, aka LF. Vi only likes the latter.)

Hydra allows two people to edit a single file simulteneously over the network via Rendevous. I find it of little use as a text editor and of marginally more use for virtual pair programming.

There are other IDE's (this is really an editor) that do a much better job at syntax coloring, real-time syntax checking, project organization, automated compilation, and integration with other tools.

Check out ProjectBuilder from Apple, JBuilder from Borland, or IDEA from IntelliJ.

Taft

[hui__lim]

My Powerbook didn't seem to appear with the Developer CD. It only came with with software install & restore and a hardware testing cd. Is the developer cd only for macs in the USA? My PB was purchased about 7 months ago in the UK. Can i download project builder? Thanks!!

[Taft]

Originally posted by hui__lim
My Powerbook didn't seem to appear with the Developer CD. It only came with with software install & restore and a hardware testing cd. Is the developer cd only for macs in the USA? My PB was purchased about 7 months ago in the UK. Can i download project builder? Thanks!!

Go to http://developer.apple.com/
Create an account (or use your .Mac ID)
Log in
Go to the Download Software section
Go to the Mac OS X subsection
Download the developers tools


Its worth noting that the download is huge. So beware.

Taft

[agp]

I suggest downloading it from the apple developer site as previously posted. However, I think you should have received a copy with your powerbook....I bought my mac in the UK and received a copy...

Can I also suggest that as a computing student it is well worth becoming an apple student developer.

I am just finishing a Software Engineering degree in the UK and have been a member for the last 2 years....

you get free OS updates, developer software updates (including project builder) and hardware discounts for only $99 (£65ish) a year

http://developer.apple.com/students/

[agp]

There is also a useful apple page for you regarding Java.

http://developer.apple.com/java/

[hui__lim]

Thanks all for the help!!