Visual Studio: The Versatile IDE You Can’t Resist

Integrated Development Environment (IDE) is a powerful tool that facilitates developers’ work so that they can focus on writing beautiful and robust code without worrying about the details of program building or syntax. You can find IDEs that support multiple programming languages such as C++, C#, .NET, Python, and more. However, Visual Studio is one of the best IDEs that can save the developer’s day.

Adding Java to Visual Studio- A Bumpy Road

Although Visual Studio can support many languages, Java is not native to it. Therefore, adding Java support can be a tough nut to crack but not impossible. In this article, we will guide you through the process of adding Java support to Visual Studio, so you won’t have to switch to a different IDE to develop Java applications.

Step 1: Install the Java Development Kit (JDK)

The first step to take is to install the Java Development Kit (JDK). The Oracle website is the official source for JDK download. Once you download it, work your way through the installation guide to complete the setup process.

Step 2: Download and install the Eclipse Java Development Tools (JDT) plugin for Visual Studio

Eclipse is an impressive IDE for Java development, and luckily for us, there is a plugin available through the Visual Studio Marketplace that provides Eclipse JDT functionality to Visual Studio users. To get started, go ahead and download the plugin, which you can find at the Visual Studio Marketplace by searching “Java Development Tools.” After you find the plugin, click “Download” to begin the installation.

Step 3: Create A New Java Project

Now that you have the plugin installed, you’re ready to create a new Java project in Visual Studio. Here’s how to get started: open Visual Studio, go to “File,” then “New” and select “Project.” On the left-hand menu, choose “Java” and then “Java Application” for your project template.

Step 4: Configure the Java Development Kit path

Before you start developing Java applications in Visual Studio, you need to configure the Java Development Kit path. To do this, navigate to “Tools,” then “Options,” and then “Java,” and finally, “JDKs.” After you click “Add,” it’s time to browse for the directory where you installed the Java Development Kit, and then select it.

Step 5: Write Java code in Visual Studio

Now it’s time to write Java code in Visual Studio. To get started, right-click on your project and select “Add,” then “Class” to create a new class file. When the editor window pops up on the screen, use it to write your Java code.

Step 6: Compile and Run Your Java Application

Once you finish writing Java code, it’s time to compile and run it in Visual Studio. To do this, right-click on the Java file you want to run and select “Run” and “Java Application.” Visual Studio will compile your code and run your application in the console window.

Conclusion

If you follow these easy steps, you can add Java support to Visual Studio and develop Java applications using an interface you’re already comfortable with. Visual Studio is a powerful IDE that can handle various programming languages, and with Java support, you will have all the tools you need to write beautiful and effective Java code for your projects.