I've been using VSCode for development but I'm about to dive into a big Java project at work. I've tried IntelliJ for Java development, but I'm not a fan. People rave about IntelliJ's refactoring and Git integration, but I just feel uncomfortable with it. I want to know if sticking with VSCode for larger Java projects is sensible. What specific features in IntelliJ make it worthwhile compared to VSCode?
5 Answers
Using the tools your team is already using is crucial. If everyone else is on IntelliJ, you might want to suck it up and get used to it—especially since learning it now will pay off in support from your colleagues! The initial pain of switching will fade away once you start seeing the benefits.
Exactly! Just remember, it’s all about productivity in the end.
Generally, I wouldn't recommend VSCode for big Java projects. For serious development, you might find IntelliJ IDEA or Spring STS much better. If IntelliJ isn't your style, give Eclipse a shot—it’s solid too!
You could also try IntelliJ Community Edition for learning. It's good enough for many tasks!
Totally agree. IntelliJ is just built for Java development, and it shows in performance and features.
If your project involves frameworks like Spring, IntelliJ’s support is unmatched. The deeper you get into Java, the clearer the advantages of IntelliJ will become—especially its navigation and refactoring. You can expect a steep learning curve, but it's worth it in the long run!
Can you share some specific scenarios where IntelliJ shines compared to VSCode?
The seamless experience when handling large projects is definitely worth mentioning!
IntelliJ was designed for Java and offers excellent refactoring, searching, and error handling capabilities. VSCode is a general-purpose tool that lacks the deep integration and support that IntelliJ has for Java. You can set it up to work for smaller projects, but for a large codebase, you might struggle. IntelliJ also has powerful debugging and built-in support for dependency management that works intuitively, while VSCode often requires plugins that can be hit or miss.
Definitely, IntelliJ's built-in integration for Spring is a game changer!
What specific IntelliJ features stand out for you? I'm curious about the specifics!
I think you can make VSCode work for Java, but it won't be as smooth as IntelliJ. For larger projects, you might find things like code completion, error handling, and dependency management frustrating. If you really love your VSCode setup, you could stick with it for smaller projects and gradually transition to IntelliJ for bigger ones, but know it may be tougher until you fully adjust.
Exactly! It’s all about where you’re most productive in the long run.
That’s a fair point. I enjoy VSCode for quick scripts but always go back to IntelliJ for larger tasks!
This is great advice! The grace period for learning will definitely help you settle in.