DrJava - GUI based Java programming environment - Not an IDE.

[Jain Amit]

Hi All,

For OCA many folks advised NOT to use IDEs and I certainly agree. But working on command line is not my cup of tea as I am more efficient with GUIs.
I came across DrJava - GUI based Java programming environment ref. http://algs4.cs.princeton.edu/windows/ and I am using it for past few months. It's freely available for use as well.
It's not an IDE and doesn't suppress any errors or auto-completes stuff for you. This might help people who are more used to mouse clicks and key board shortcuts.

Background:-
I am a software developer with 10 years of experience in C only. I know basic OO and basic Java. I am planning for OCA Java 7 around Aug-end/Early Sep.

Thanks
Amit

[Roel De Nijs]

Jain Amit wrote:I came across DrJava - GUI based Java programming environment ref. http://algs4.cs.princeton.edu/windows/ and I am using it for past few months. It's freely available for use as well.
It's not an IDE and doesn't suppress any errors or auto-completes stuff for you. This might help people who are more used to mouse clicks and key board shortcuts

I didn't know about DrJava. Have a cow for sharing! And what about classpath stuff when compiling and running programs?

The link you provided seems to be some kind of Princeton development environment for their Algorithms course. And it does more than installing just DrJava, e.g. it installs Java 7, CheckStyle, FindBugs,...). If you are only interested in DrJava (a lightweight development environment for writing Java programs), you can download it [tt=http://drjava.org/]here[/tt].

[Jain Amit]

Hi Roel,

DrJava works quite well for many scenarios. It does not auto-complete or put missing parens... You can add the class path as needed Edit->preferences->classpath... DrJava's site has more details for installation for all OS and other stuff...It is quite easy to learn and work with and very elementary as compared to Eclipse or IntelliJ.

I had taken Algorithms I on coursera some time back and had used DrJava. While preparing for OCA I have found it extremely helpful.

Happy to help.

Amit

[Paul Anilprem]

Thanks for sharing. I have not used it but I am curious to know what is the benefit of using it over notepad (or notepad++) ?

[Jain Amit]

I have not used Notepad++ for compiling Java code (I guess need to install some plugins). DrJava - ease of use and simplicity. I am not good with command line and it works for me.

[Tapas Chand]

I guess one basic difference between DrJava nad Notepad++ is
In DrJava, compilation and run commands are provided by the IDE itself, you just have to click the buttons to compile and run.
In Notepad++, there are no inbuilt buttons. You have to compile/run from command line.
If you do not want to run commands every time, you can save the commands in "execute window" in Notepad++.

[Roel De Nijs]

Jain Amit wrote:I am not good with command line and it works for me.

You could see a few questions on the exam that use the command line. So it might be a good idea to use it a few times (just for basics) to get familiarized with it.