Is VSCode Good Enough for Big Java Projects?

I get where you're coming from with VSCode, it's popular because it's lightweight and versatile. For smaller or personal projects, it's fine. But when it comes to large, complex Java applications, IntelliJ just offers a level of efficiency that VSCode struggles to match. The comprehensive integration with Gradle and Maven can save significant time.

Honestly, I'd steer clear of using VSCode for larger Java projects. IntelliJ IDEA is my go-to, especially for Spring and other frameworks. It just has the best support and native tools for Java. If IntelliJ doesn’t click for you, consider Eclipse—it can handle big projects well too.

I've used both, and for big corporate projects like J2EE or Spring, IntelliJ is ideal hands down. It has amazing features that streamline the process. However, if you’re comfortable with VSCode and it suits your needs, don’t force a change unless your team uses IntelliJ. The best IDE is the one that makes you productive.

IntelliJ is built specifically for Java, whereas VSCode is more of a general IDE with Java support tacked on. IntelliJ's refactoring and auto-import features are a game-changer in large projects. If you're not comfortable, you might find it tough to keep up with your team using VSCode when everyone else is on IntelliJ.

From my experience, the bigger the project, the more noticeable the gaps between IntelliJ and VSCode become. IntelliJ's ability to analyze code, handle refactoring, and offer superb debugging is unmatched. If you're going to work collaboratively, it's worth switching to avoid bottlenecks later.