Java is one of the most widely used popular programming languages. You can use it to build various types of applications, including web, mobile, and standalone.
There are many tools available to assist you in building these applications efficiently and effectively. These tools include Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) such as NetBeans, build tools like Apache Maven and testing frameworks like JUnit.
It is important to hire Java developers who are proficient in using these tools in order to build high-quality applications.
Here is a table that gives you an overview of the top 8 Java Development tools you should be using in 2023.
Tool | Description | Key Features |
Eclipse | Open-source IDE for Java development | Extensible, large developer community, easy to find solutions |
IntelliJ IDEA | Commercial IDE for Java development | Powerful coding assistance, comprehensive code refactoring, robust testing tools |
NetBeans | Open-source IDE for Java development | Fast build and debug cycle, support for various frameworks and technologies |
Apache Maven | Build automation tool for Java projects | Dependency management, build and test automation, standard project structure, plugins |
Git | Version control system | Collaboration, tracking changes |
JUnit | Open-source unit testing framework for Java | Easy to read and understand, automatic testing, integration with other tools and frameworks |
SonarQube | Platform for continuous code quality inspection | Static code analysis, test coverage, code duplication, code complexity, code style |
Docker | Containerization platform | Isolation, portability, ease of deployment, resource efficiency, CI/CD support |
Jenkins | Open-source CI/CD platform | Automated builds, testing, and deployment, extensibility, scalability |
Gradle | Build automation tool | Build automation, dependency management, customization, extension, performance |
Mockito | Open-source mocking framework for Java | Mocking, verification, stubbing, easy to use, extensive documentation |
For more detailed features, read till the end.
Top Java Development Tools To Use In 2023
SonarQube
Hire Java developers to use SonarQube and write high-quality, maintainable, and bug-free code for your website or application.
Here are some key features of SonarQube Java.
- Static code analysis: Perform static code analysis on your Java codebase and identify potential issues such as bugs, security vulnerabilities, and code smells.
- Test coverage: Track your test coverage and ensure that you have sufficient test coverage for your codebase.
- Code duplication: Duplicate code blocks. Refactor your code to remove duplication and improve maintainability.
- Code complexity: Measure the complexity of your code. Rectify areas of your codebase that may be difficult to understand or maintain.
- Code style: Check your code against a set of coding standards.
JUnit
Use JUnit to write and run repeatable tests for Java code. You can improve the quality and reliability of your codebase and catch and fix bugs early in the development process.
Here are some features of JUni.
- Simple and easy: Write tests that are easy to read and understand.
- Run tests automatically: Catch and fix bugs early in the development process, and save you time and effort in the long run.
- A huge community: JUnit has a large and active developer community, which means that there is a wealth of knowledge and resources available for learning and using the framework.
Docker
Hire Java developers to use Docker and package your applications and their dependencies into lightweight, portable containers.
Here are some features.
- Isolation: Isolate your Java applications and their dependencies from the host operating system and other applications.
- Portability: Use docker containers to easily move your applications between environments. Ensure that they will run consistently regardless of the underlying infrastructure.
- Easy to deploy: You can build a Docker image containing your application and all its dependencies and then deploy that image to any environment that supports Docker.
- Resource efficiency: Docker containers are lightweight and consume fewer resources than traditional virtual machines, making them well-suited for running Java applications in environments where resources are limited.
- Continuous integration and delivery: Docker can be used as part of a continuous integration and delivery (CI/CD) pipeline to build, test, and deploy Java applications automatically and reliably.
Jenkins CI
Hire Java developers to use Jenkins and automate the build, test, and deployment of your software projects.
Here are some key features of Jenkins.
- Automated builds: Automatically build your software projects based on triggers such as code commits, schedule, or external events.
- Automated testing: Automatically run tests on your code and provide feedback on the results. Catch and fix bugs early in the development process.
- Automated deployment: Automatically deploy your software to various environments, such as staging or production, based on predefined rules.
- Extensibility: Jenkins is supported by a range of plugins created by the community. Use them to integrate Jenkins with other tools and services, such as version control systems, cloud platforms, and more.
- Scalability: Scale up or down to meet the needs of your project, and it can be deployed on-premises or in the cloud.
NetBeans
NetBeans is an open-source Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for Java development.
Here are some key features.
- Fast build and debug cycle: You can quickly build and run your code and get feedback on any errors or issues.
- Support for various frameworks and technologies: Supports a wide range of frameworks and technologies, such as Java EE, HTML5, and PHP, which makes it a versatile choice for developing Java applications.
- Code completion: Write code faster and with fewer errors.
- Refactoring: Safely modify your codebase and improve its structure and maintainability.
Apache Maven
Apache Maven is a popular build automation tool for Java projects. You can use it to develop, build, and test Java applications efficiently and with high quality.
Here are some key features.
- Dependency management: You don’t have to manually download and include libraries and other dependencies in your project. Mave will do it for you.
- Build and test automation: Automate the build and testing process for your project, which can save you time and effort.
- Project structure: The standard project structure makes it easy to understand and maintain projects, and allows you to use Maven with a wide range of tools and services.
- Plugins: Extend its functionality and integrate it with other tools and services.
Gradle
Use this automation tool to automate the build process for your Java.
Here are some key features of Gradle.
- Build automation: Automate the build process for your projects, including tasks such as compiling and testing code, packaging applications, and generating documentation.
- Dependency management: Manage project dependencies, including downloading and including libraries and other dependencies in your project.
- Customization: Customize the build process for your project using a flexible and expressive build language.
- Extension: Use the rich ecosystem of plugins to extend Gradle’s functionality and integrate it with other tools and services.
- Performance: Can support large and complex projects with minimal overhead.
Mockito
Hire Java developers to use Mockito and create mock objects for testing. With this, you can isolate the components you want to test and verify their behavior.
Here are some key features of Mockito.
- Mocking: Create mock objects for interfaces and classes, and define their behavior for the purposes of testing. Isolate the component you want to test and verify its behavior without relying on external dependencies.
- Verification: Verify that certain methods were called on your mock objects, and how many times they were called. Ensure that your code is behaving as expected.
- Stubbing: Specify the return values or behaviors of your mock objects when certain methods are called. This can help you test your code under different conditions.
- Easy to use: Mockito has a simple and straightforward syntax, which makes it easy to learn and use.
- Extensive documentation: Mockito has extensive documentation, which includes examples and best practices for using the framework.