By Jacob Isah

Setting up an efficient Java development environment is key if you're a Java dev. It helps streamline your coding process and makes you more productive.

In this article, I will walk you through the important steps you need to set up a Java development environment. We'll cover how to install the Java Development Kit (JDK), the Integrated Development Environment (IDE), and configure the necessary tools and libraries. Let's dive in!

To begin, you need to install the JDK, which includes the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) as well as development tools, like the Java compiler and debugger.

Follow these steps below:

The first step you need to take before setting the JAVA_HOME environment variable, is to know the installation directory of the JDK. Take note of the path where the JDK is installed on your machine.

To access the environment variables on your machine, follow the steps below:

Depending on your operating system, follow the instructions below:

Windows:

macOS:

Replace {JDK_VERSION} with the actual version number of the installed JDK without the curly braces {}.

Then you can close the Terminal and you should be all set.

To ensure that the JAVA_HOME environment variable is set correctly, open a new terminal or command prompt window and enter the following command:

For Windows:

For macOS:

The command above should display the path to the JDK installation directory that you previously set.

Congratulations! You have successfully set the JAVA_HOME environment variable to the JDK installation directory. This variable is now accessible to Java applications and tools on your system.

An IDE makes coding simple and gives you various features like code editing, debugging, and project management.

There are many popular IDEs for Java development. I recommend IntelliJ because of its advanced refactoring tools.

You can download IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition or Ultimate Edition, depending on your requirements. Install it, and you will be guided through the setup process, including selecting key plugins and themes. If you are a student of any university, you can get the Github Student Pack.

Once you have downloaded IntelliJ as your chosen IDE, you need to configure it to suit your needs.

The following configurations are some of the things you can do once you have downloaded the IntelliJ IDE.

You'll need to point your IntelliJ to the JDK installation directory so that it uses the correct Java version for compilation and execution.

Open IntelliJ IDEA and go to "File" in the menu bar, I am using Ubuntu to demonstrate this.

then select "Project Structure":

In the Project Structure dialog, navigate to the "SDKs" section (under "Platform Settings") on the left-hand side.

Click the "+" button on the top right-hand side to add a new JDK. You can see what this looks like from the screenshot above.

In the "Add JDK" dialog, locate and select the directory where your JDK is installed. I am on Ubuntu.

The JDK installation directory typically has a structure like this:

Windows

C:\Program Files\Java\jdk1.x.x_xx

macOS

/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk1.x.x_xx.jdk/Contents/Home

Click "OK" to add the JDK.

After adding the JDK, go to the "Project" section (under "Project Settings") on the left-hand side of the Project Structure dialog.

In the "SDK" dropdown, select the JDK you just added.

If you want to set the JDK for a specific module, go to the "Modules" section (under "Project Settings") on the left-hand side, select the module, and then choose the JDK from the "Module SDK" dropdown.

Click "OK" to apply the changes and close the Project Structure dialog.

IntelliJ IDEA should now be configured to use the JDK you selected for compilation and execution of your Java projects.

Adjust the code editor's font, indentation, and code style settings to match your coding style. This enhances readability and consistency.

IntelliJ offers a wide range of plugins to extend functionality. Install plugins for version control systems (for example, Git), build tools (for example, Maven), icons, and any other tools you frequently use.

Java offers a vast ecosystem of tools and libraries that can enhance your development experience.

Some popular options include:

In this article, you learned how to set up Java development environment that is tailored to your needs.

Specifically, you learned how to install the JDK, select an IDE, configure it appropriately, and leverage build tools and libraries that will empower you to write efficient, high-quality Java code.

Thanks for reading.