macOS Java - Textpad alternative

[Labhras]

Hi all,
I'm taking an introductory course to Java programming, the teacher suggested Textpad for windows due to the ability to compile and run in the program itself, but no Mac alternatives.
I wanted to know the best - and free, alternative possibile, with mostly the same functions of Textpad.
I've heard of Xcode, TextWrangler and Textmate, but being a novice I don't really see the difference between them - considering we're doing just the basics for now I wanted advice on the ideal software.

Thank you all for your help!

 

[960design]

It depends on your needs:
I use ( err... used ) Eclipse professionally for Java development.

One of my favorite IDEs for java development was NetBeans.

I now dable in java with Atom and just use terminal for compile and run ( not a a recommend work flow, just what I do for very small, completely separate test projects ).

For a learning IDE I recommend you start with something simple like BlueJ and finds its limitations and strengths. From there you will know what you need or want in a more production level IDE. BlueJ was built to be forgiving and user friendly to new programmers. Trying to learn how to just write code and more specifically a new language; while also learning the development environment to use it in can quickly overwhelm a new programmer. Think of trying to learn to paint within the lines with no lines. Add on top of that, not knowing what a paint brush, canvas or even what colors are.

 

[Sciuriware]

Hi all,
I'm taking an introductory course to Java programming, the teacher suggested Textpad for windows due to the ability to compile and run in the program itself, but no Mac alternatives.
I wanted to know the best - and free, alternative possibile, with mostly the same functions of Textpad.
I've heard of Xcode, TextWrangler and Textmate, but being a novice I don't really see the difference between them - considering we're doing just the basics for now I wanted advice on the ideal software.

Thank you all for your help!

I tried NetBeans for some time, then I turned to Eclipse on all my platforms.
It's probably the only 3rd party product that never let me down.
;JOOP!

 

[Stella]

If your learning Java I'd stick to a good text editor - Sublime Text, Atom etc. After you've got the basics then move onto an IDE.

Trying to learn IDE and Java ( or any language ) just adds extra complexity.

Good free Java IDEs include:
Eclipse, IntelliJ Community
These will add features found in XCode, plus more. ( I personally wouldn't use XCode for Java programming )

 

[Labhras]

Thanks for the advices - in relation to the editor:
one of the exercises given by the professor was to be able to input something from the keyboard to have a result, i.e. asking the numbers of attendees, typing said number and getting the text with the total number.
Now, since we were using Windows, we used the command prompt to do so - write the code, input the number, and get the result.
I'm currently using Textmate since it was suggested in class, but I can't seem to properly run everything. While trying to run what was given in class I get errors, and using the code from a textbook for a similar exercise resulted in text only, without the possibility to type anything.
Is it impossible to do something like this with Textmate or do I need to set some option/download a bundle I'm unaware of?
Thanks for your help

 

[Stella]

Impossible to determine from your post. What exactly are the errors your getting - a few screens may help also

 

[Labhras]

Sure. I tried with a new code - and while I don't get any errors, I still can't input anything. Is there something I'm not doing with Textmate?
I attached the first one as well.

 

[Labhras]

I might have found the reason why that kept happening - apparently TextMate doesn't support interactive input anymore, and the fix offered on the blog doesn't apply for software after Snow Leopard.
The only software I have found so far able to offer this is Coderunner - do any of you know of a free solution able to offer this as well?

 

[mikepolinske]

I recommend IntelliJ IDEA.

It is a very good IDE with auto-complete and many plug-ins.

I've tried Eclipse a few times, but it never appealed to me.

 

[ArtOfWarfare]

Find someone who can show you how to run Java without a GUI.

I find I'm always more productive if I understand what I'm doing well enough to just do it on a command line (and I can normally do it faster on a command line than with a GUI, too).