Introduction to Best Java Tools
This post aims to enlighten our readers on the meaning of the Java programming language, the top reasons why Java is important for developers & companies, and the 20 best Java tools that help make your work easier along with their download links. Let us start.
What is Java?
Java is an object-oriented, multi-platform, general-purpose, and network-centric programming language. It is one of the widely-used programming languages and a computing platform for developing applications. It is secure, fast, and reliable, making it perfect for developing applications for data centers, game consoles, laptops, supercomputers, mobile phones, etc.
Why Are Java Tools Important For Developers & Companies?
More than 64,000 companies across the US use Java. Some examples include Google, Accenture, eBay, Uber, Airbnb, Intel, T-Mobile, Symantec, and Philips. In India, companies such as Naukri.com, TripAdvisor, Ibibo.com, Myntra, Flipkart, and Trivago have been using Java tools for a long time and show no signs of switching over to another language. Here are some reasons that make Java tools important for developers and companies.
- Any web application today is incomplete without its corresponding mobile application. Java tools help developers and software development companies write powerful applications for mobile phones and other electronic devices.
- Most of the web-based applications in organizations and government agencies were developed using Java. They are generally reluctant to make any changes when things are flowing smoothly and prefer using Java tools to make any changes or add any new features to their existing applications.
- Despite stiff competition from Python, Java still has the best assortment of tools and frameworks. A case in point is the Spring framework, which makes it easy for small development teams in organizations to work closely and in an organized manner.
- A Java update helps to improve the language significantly to make it more industry-friendly. Companies do not feel the need to migrate to an altogether new programming language as they already have at their disposal robust and modern Java tools and expert developers who can use these tools effectively.
- Java tools are easy to learn and understand and make writing Java codes easier. Java tools deliver the performance, scalability, and reliability that any company looks for in a programming language.
- Java tools help companies and developers create programs that can run from within a web browser and access available web services.
- Java tools help developers and companies combine different services or applications to create highly customized and robust applications
20 Best Java Tools To Make Your Work Easy
There are several Java tools available for Java management. These tools make the process of developing, testing, and implementing Java easier. Here is a look at the 20 best Java tools that make your work easier.
1 – Java Development Kit
JDK is a powerful tool that helps developers write Java applications and applets. The JDK tool includes the Java compiler, Java Runtime Environment, and Java APIs.
Key Features:
- Enables developers to handle multiple exceptions in a single catch block.
- Helps string in switch expressions.
- Underlines the relationship between digits in numeric literals.
2 – IntelliJ Idea
The IntelliJ Idea focuses on Java development. It is a multi-purpose IDE that offers advanced support for mobile, hybrid, and web application development.
Key Features:
- Analyses the source codes between project files and languages.
- Facilitates cross-language refactoring.
- Helps locate duplicate code fragments on the fly.
3 – Spark
Spark is a robust Java-based framework that helps developers create web applications without needing to write boilerplate codes.
Key Features:
- Comes with a provision to handle real-time stream processing.
- Its codes can be re-used for batch processing.
- Supports multiple languages.
4 – Solarwinds Patch Manager
The Solarwinds patch manager addresses the vulnerabilities in software. It saves time and makes patch compliance easy by simplifying the process of patch management.
Key Features:
- User-friendly dashboard to manage patches.
- Hassle-free deployment of security patches.
- Quickly isolates devices that need patching.
5 – JUnit
JUnit is an open-source unit testing model for Java. It helps write and repeatedly test Java codes. JUnit is a critical test-driven tool for the development and implementation of codes.
Key Features:
- Enables writing and testing codes.
- Allows for faster code writing.
- Provides annotations for test classes to have demo fixture runs.
6 – Netbeans
Netbeans is an open-source and free IDE. It allows you to develop mobile, web, and desktop applications in PHP, Java, and other languages using wizards and templates.
Key Features:
- Completely supports the latest Java technologies.
- Helps developers write bug-free codes.
- Allows for fast and intelligent code editing.
7 – Apache Maven
Apache Maven is a software management tool based on the Project Object Model. It is used to build and manage Java-based projects. It provides information related to Java projects and encourages sharing of best development practices.
Key Features:
- Provides access to new features with few extra configurations.
- Helps publish management and distribution data.
- Enables developers to write easy plugins using Java.
8 – Jett
Jett is an open-source and easy-to-use profiler used to measure the performance of Java applications. It is a cost-effective way of tracking an application’s execution and performance statistics.
Key Features:
- Provides ample support for website redirection
- Allows easy modification of system files
- Takes screenshots to help administrators keep a record of issues on a client’s computer.
9 – Mockito
Mockito is an open-source unit testing and Java mocking framework. It enables developers to write clear, well-structured, and loosely coupled codes.
Key Features:
- Allows developers to write simple tests.
- Offers friendly and readable syntax and provides annotations required for reducing boilerplate codes.
- Helps in writing behavior-driven development style tests.
10 – Clover
The Clover Java tool generates code average reports. Developers can execute it as a plugin in Eclipse, Maven, or Ant. It is also used to collect data from integration tests.
Key Features:
- Open-source and free to use.
- Provides complete metrics and coverage for the latest test runs.
- Helps to highlight statement-level coverage.
11 – Ehcache
Ehcache is a standards-based and open-source tool for Java. It is a powerful and tested tool that developers can integrate with other frameworks and popular libraries.
Key Features:
- Maintains small footprints that keep applications light.
- Scalable to hundreds and thousands of caches.
- Enables hibernate integration and box spring caching.
12 – Visual VM
As the name suggests, VisualVM is a visual tool that integrates command-line JDK tools. It is designed for development and production time use and offers lightweight profiling capabilities.
Key Features:
- Displays local and remote Java processes.
- Monitors memory and process performance.
- Helps analyze core dumps.
13 – Oracle JDeveloper
Oracle JDeveloper is a free Java development IDE tool that developers use to build reliable service-oriented architectures. Oracle JDeveloper supports a product or service’s complete development life cycle.
Key Features:
- Generates servlets to act as EJB clients.
- Supports creating and editing Java class web socket annotations.
- Allows developers to specify a configuration class to hold metadata.
Read more: exception handling in java
14 – Findbugs
As the name suggests, Findbugs is an open-source tool that detects potential bugs by scanning Java bytecode and provides early alerts about possible errors. It helps developers to access all types of bugs during the development phase itself.
Key Features:
- Identifies bug patterns with 100% accuracy.
- Provides support for the Guava library and identifies common misuse patterns.
- Helps detect problems identified by the JSR-305 annotations.
15 – Java Decompiler
Java Decompiler is a free-to-use Java tool that helps reconstruct Java source codes from class files. It allows developers to decompile JAR, Java apps, and ZIP files for reproducing Java source codes.
Key Features:
- Supports drag and drop functions.
- Displays color-coded source codes.
- Compatible with almost all Java versions.
16 – Gradle
Gradle is a Java tool used for project automation. The tool builds on features included in Apache Maven and Apache Ant. The tool also acts as a default build tool for Android platforms.
Key Features:
- Allows developers to execute Gradle on machines even where it is not installed.
- Supports partial and entirely built multi-projects.
- Helps avoid unnecessary compilation with smart classpath.
17 – Cobertura
Cobertura is a free-to-use Java tool used to calculate the percentage of codes accessed by tests. The tool is also used to identify parts of Java programs that lack test coverage.
Key Features:
- Filters uninteresting packages and classes.
- Allows line and branch coverage in a detailed tree view.
- Allows developers to generate HTML or XML reports.
18 – Groovy
Groovy is a powerful language that has compilation and static-typing capabilities. It aims to improve a developer’s productivity.
Key Features:
- Compatible with Java and other third-party libraries.
- Integrates with Java programs to help create powerful applications.
- Perfect for writing concise and maintainable tests.
19 – Yourkit
Yourkit is an innovative Java tool used to profile Java and .Net applications. It is considered to be the pioneer when it comes to the evolution of profiling tools.
Key Features:
- Seamlessly integrates with application servers and IDEs.
- Allows an unlimited number of profiled applications with its permissive license policy.
- Provides high-level profiling results and helps identify exact issues.
20 – Eclipse
Eclipse is an integrated and open-source development environment for Java. It offers many modeling tools, modern features, development frameworks, and Java testing tools.
Key Features:
- Seamlessly integrates with JUnit.
- Provides detailed reports.
- Offers the best tools for JEE projects.
That was all about the 20 best Java tools.
We hope this post helped you learn a great deal about the various Java tools. There are several other Java tools available; the list simply goes on. Therefore, we have made an effort to bring you the 20 best Java tools that help make your work easier.
