Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) CS 21a: Introduction to Computing I First Semester,
Overview ► What is an IDE? ► Why use an IDE? ► Familiarization with different IDEs ► JCreator ► BlueJ
What is an IDE? ► "Integrated Development Environment" ► source code editor, ► a compiler and/or interpreter, ► build-automation tools, ► and (usually) a debugger ► Allows you to create, edit, compile and run programs written in a particular language, e.g. Java ► Some IDEs can support more than one language
What is an IDE? ► Some have other features that aid in developing better programs: ► Debugging ► Test cases ► Code formatting (colored keywords, etc.) ► etc.
Why use an IDE? ► Easier to code because of colored text ► Makes it easier to develop programs, so you can focus more on the coding ► Contains features to make debugging and writing programs easier
Different IDEs for Java ► JCreator ► BlueJ ► Eclipse ► Visual Café ► Java NetBeans ► Visual Studio ► …and many more! These are what we will use this semester.
JCreator
► A small, lightweight IDE developed by the Xinox Software. ► Two licenses available: ► Lite edition - Freeware (limited features) ► Pro edition - Shareware (requires payment, but with full features) ► Download from ► Will be introduced in the middle of the semester
BlueJ
► Another IDE, but written in Java ► First developed by University of Kent ► Download from ► Ideal for first-time programmers ► Features include the debugger, test runs, etc.
BlueJ ► Allows you to start programming right away, focusing on object fields and methods, and less on syntax ► Allows you to see objects in action ► shows you how classes are related through boxes and lines
Using BlueJ for the First Time ► You may have to specify where your Java executable is located ► Usually at C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.6.0_20\bin\java.exe ► Then, create/open a BlueJ project ► Note: Non-BlueJ folders containing Java files will have to be converted to a BlueJ project.
Familiarization with BlueJ ► Again, create, compile and execute a HelloWorld application ► Make sure there are multiple println statements in the Java class so that you can try out the debugger later ► Execute by right-clicking on the Java class icon and executing main ► Try out the debugger ► Set a breakpoint and execute the Java class