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Java VS IntelliJ IDEA

Compare Java VS IntelliJ IDEA and see what are their differences

Note: These products don't have any matching categories. If you think this is a mistake, please edit the details of one of the products and suggest appropriate categories.

Java logo Java

A concurrent, class-based, object-oriented, language specifically designed to have as few implementation dependencies as possible

IntelliJ IDEA logo IntelliJ IDEA

Capable and Ergonomic IDE for JVM
  • Java Landing page
    Landing page //
    2018-09-30

We recommend LibHunt Java for discovery and comparisons of trending Java projects.

  • IntelliJ IDEA Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-07-20

Java features and specs

  • Platform Independence
    Java is known for its portability across multiple platforms via the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). This means you can write code once and run it anywhere.
  • Large Standard Library
    Java boasts a comprehensive standard library, which facilitates development by providing pre-built solutions for a wide array of programming tasks.
  • Robust and Secure
    Java emphasizes strong memory management and has built-in security features, making it a reliable choice for applications requiring high levels of security.
  • Community Support
    With a vast and active community, ample resources are available for learning and troubleshooting. Numerous libraries and frameworks are available due to its long-standing presence.
  • Performance
    Modern Java versions offer performance that is generally very good for many applications, particularly server-side applications where the Just-In-Time (JIT) compiler can significantly optimize runtime performance.

Possible disadvantages of Java

  • Verbosity
    Java's syntax can be verbose compared to newer languages, requiring more lines of code to accomplish the same tasks, which may reduce readability.
  • Memory Consumption
    Java applications can be memory-intensive due to their reliance on the JVM, which can be a downside for resource-constrained environments.
  • Performance Overhead
    Despite its generally good performance, Java's reliance on the JVM introduces some overhead compared to languages that compile to native machine code, such as C++.
  • No Low-Level Programming
    Java abstracts away from the hardware, making it less suitable for low-level programming tasks that require direct hardware manipulation, such as embedded systems programming.
  • Slow Startup Time
    Java applications can have slower startup times due to the overhead of JVM initialization, which can be a drawback for desktop applications or command-line tools that are frequently started and stopped.

IntelliJ IDEA features and specs

  • Intelligent Code Completion
    IntelliJ IDEA offers advanced code completion features, which help to speed up coding by suggesting relevant keywords, variable names, and methods. It understands the context of the code, making suggestions more accurate and useful.
  • Powerful Refactoring
    IntelliJ IDEA provides an extensive set of refactoring tools that simplify code restructuring. Developers can easily rename, move, and change the signature of classes and methods without breaking the application.
  • Integrated Version Control
    Supports various version control systems such as Git, SVN, and Mercurial. This integration allows seamless code commits, merges, and history tracking directly within the IDE.
  • Rich Plugin Ecosystem
    Offers a vast library of plugins to extend its functionalities by adding support for additional languages, frameworks, and tools, making it highly customizable.
  • Built-in Terminal
    Includes a powerful built-in terminal that allows for command-line operations without leaving the IDE, improving workflow efficiency.
  • Cross-Platform Support
    IntelliJ IDEA is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, providing consistency for developers who work across different operating systems.
  • Comprehensive Debugging
    Features advanced debugging tools that provide detailed inspection of variable states, stack traces, and execution flow, making it easier to identify and fix issues.
  • User-Friendly Interface
    Offers a highly intuitive and customizable user interface that simplifies navigation and enhances productivity.

Possible disadvantages of IntelliJ IDEA

  • Resource Intensive
    IntelliJ IDEA can be very demanding on system resources, such as RAM and CPU, which may affect performance on less powerful machines.
  • Steep Learning Curve
    New users may find it challenging to learn all of its features and settings, as the IDE offers a wide range of tools and options.
  • Cost
    While there is a free Community edition, the Ultimate edition with full features requires a paid license, which can be expensive for individual developers or small teams.
  • Occasional Sluggishness
    Users may experience occasional sluggish performance, especially with large projects or extensive usage of plugins.
  • Initial Setup Complexity
    Setting up IntelliJ IDEA for the first time, particularly for specific project configurations, can be time-consuming and complex.
  • Frequent Updates
    While regular updates are beneficial for security and new features, they can sometimes cause interruptions or require downtime to install.
  • Dependency on Plugins
    Some key functionalities may rely heavily on third-party plugins, which can sometimes lag in updates or lack sufficient documentation.

Java videos

AP Computer Science in 10 Minutes (Java review)

More videos:

  • Review - Java AP CS Exam Review
  • Review - Top Five Basic Programming Concepts of Object-Oriented Java - Six Minute Refresher!

IntelliJ IDEA videos

Overview of IntelliJ IDEA

More videos:

  • Review - Why I Use IntelliJ IDEA
  • Review - Be More Productive With IntelliJ IDEA by Trisha Gee

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to Java and IntelliJ IDEA)
Programming Language
100 100%
0% 0
IDE
0 0%
100% 100
OOP
100 100%
0% 0
Text Editors
0 0%
100% 100

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare Java and IntelliJ IDEA

Java Reviews

The 10 Best Programming Languages to Learn Today
If you want to build your career in IoT or big data, Java is arguably the best programming language to learn. Java is cross-platform compatible and offers portability and versatility to almost any type of device, making it ideal for IoT applications. The Apache Hadoop big data processing system is also written in Java.
Source: ict.gov.ge
Alternatives to Nmap: from simple to advanced network scanning
This tool can provide favorite IP address ranges, NetBIOS information and web server detection. More features can be added by installing Java plugins.

IntelliJ IDEA Reviews

Explore 9 Top Eclipse Alternatives for 2024
Developed by JetBrains, IntelliJ IDEA is a versatile Integrated Development Environment (IDE) initially built for Java and Kotlin, but extends its prowess to incorporate a myriad of other languages through plugins. A unique and user-centric environment favorably touted for its tuneability and keyboard shortcuts that enhance productivity, IntelliJ IDEA has grown to compete...
Source: aircada.com
Top 10 Android Studio Alternatives For App Development
IntelliJ IDEA is an IDE that was developed by JetBrains and is written in Java, Groovy, and Kotlin. It helps in building the IntelliJ IDEA community from the source code and also produces high-quality code.
The Best IDEs for Java Development: A Comparative Analysis
Intelligent Coding Assistance: What sets IntelliJ IDEA apart is its intelligent coding assistance. It seems to understand your code, predict your needs, and assist you with a range of development tasks from start to finish. By virtually mapping your Java projects, it can detect errors, suggest code variants, conduct refactoring, and more. It’s like having a coding assistant!
Source: dev.to
20 Best Diff Tools to Compare File Contents on Linux
Intellij Idea is an enterprise development, cross-platform software for multiple operating systems. It is used to review the differences between any two files, folders, text sources, or database objects, as well as between local files and their repository versions.
Source: linuxopsys.com
9 Of The Best Android Studio Alternatives To Try Out
IntelliJ IDEA, the routine tasks like coding, are handled by IntelliJ IDEA, which leads to accelerated development. It also allows the programmer to focus on functionality.

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Java seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 7 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

Java mentions (7)

  • Can someone help with port forwarding?
    You can use UPnP PortMapper. Source code/Download. All you need is Java and that's it. Hope this helps. Source: about 3 years ago
  • PolyGlot 3.5 Release
    I would definitely suggest installing Java for this one, and the error should have asked you to do so. I'll have to look into why that was not popping properly for you and address it in a bug fix. In the mean time, you can address the issue by going here to install Java: https://java.com/en/. Source: over 3 years ago
  • i need help pls
    Https://java.com/en/ Is this the java you're using to install optifine. When I first got optifine I thought java meant Minecraft and not java. Source: over 3 years ago
  • I keep getting this error when I try to install Worldpainter
    I had this problem before just go to https://java.com/en/ and download the java then you will have to install the actual java, then after its installed go to This PC then Windows then Program Files then Java then go to the file name file name that show I think when you downloaded it then go into bin and you will find a java.exe file then click it and World Painter will install and that's who I solved king problem... Source: over 3 years ago
  • What to do immediately with a brand new build?
    Java, Adobe Reader, Handbrake (great for converting and adjusting videos). Source: almost 4 years ago
View more

IntelliJ IDEA mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of IntelliJ IDEA yet. Tracking of IntelliJ IDEA recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing Java and IntelliJ IDEA, you can also consider the following products

Python - Python is a clear and powerful object-oriented programming language, comparable to Perl, Ruby, Scheme, or Java.

Microsoft Visual Studio - Microsoft Visual Studio is an integrated development environment (IDE) from Microsoft.

JavaScript - Lightweight, interpreted, object-oriented language with first-class functions

VS Code - Build and debug modern web and cloud applications, by Microsoft

Rust - A safe, concurrent, practical language

Xcode - Xcode is Apple’s powerful integrated development environment for creating great apps for Mac, iPhone, and iPad. Xcode 4 includes the Xcode IDE, instruments, iOS Simulator, and the latest Mac OS X and iOS SDKs.