Integrated Development Environments

(IDEs)CS 21a: Introduction to

Computing IFirst Semester, 2013-2014

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

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 http://www.jcreator.com ►Will be introduced in the middle of the

semester

BlueJ

BlueJ

►Another IDE, but written in Java►First developed by University of Kent►Download from http://www.bluej.org ►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