Using VSCode as a Java IDE

Some unsorted thoughts about using VSCode as a Java development environment.

I tried more than once to use VSCode as my Java editor, but it didn’t give me the same experience as IntelliJ IDEA.

The UX was often really low and sometimes I just didn’t understand why I got error pop-ups or where I can find the settings for my use case.

There is a lot more to say like the low debugging-experience in VSCode while IntelliJ is outstanding in many matters or how tight the integration of Java into IntelliJ is.

But I don’t dislike VSCode in full: I like to use it for Node/Rust and other projects. Actually, I do write this post in VSCode. ;)

And the development pace of the editor is incredible.

I’m also sure that VSCode for Java is worth a try in the next few months.

Beside all that I enjoyed to integrate CRaC into it and how ‘hackable’ the editor is. And I just saw the tip of the iceberg!

But all in all in professional context I like to use the tool I know as long as it doesn’t fail or disappoint me. Just to get my work done without needing to set-up my IDE.

Nevertheless, I’ll try to use VSCode for some Java projects in my private context. I like to stay open-minded and see what’s possible with the editor.