Visual Studio Code for Java Development: A Comprehensive Review and Comparison

When it comes to developing Java applications, the choice of Integrated Development Environment (IDE) can significantly impact productivity and the efficiency of your workflow. A widely used editor, Visual Studio Code (VS Code), has gained popularity for its extensibility, lightweight nature, and robust support for a wide range of programming languages. However, when it comes to Java development, the experience can be mixed, with some users finding it to be less than ideal.

Challenges in Using VS Code for Java Development

A frequent complaint from Java developers using VS Code is the initial setup and compilation of Java projects. In my experience, setting up a project structure in VS Code required more manual configuration and command-line operations compared to other IDEs like NetBeans. For instance, creating a directory structure with multiple folders and managing classpath configurations can be time-consuming and frustrating.

Sample Project Structure

To illustrate this, consider a simple project structure where we have a 'main' folder containing our 'ClassFolder' with two Java files:

main └── ClassFolder ├── └──

The challenge lies in the fact that to compile and run a Java program, you need to specify the classpath correctly using command-line tools like javac and java. Here is a typical workflow that can be quite tedious:

Compile and using javac -cp or -classpath options. Run the compiled class files using java with the -cp or -classpath option.

If the classes are in different directories, this process can become quite complex, especially for larger projects with many dependencies and libraries.

Experience with NetBeans IDE

In contrast, using NetBeans IDE, the same process is significantly smoother. NetBeans handles project structure, classpath management, and compilation out of the box. Here's how it worked for me:

Create a new Java project in NetBeans. Right-click on the project and select 'Run'. NetBeans automatically compiles the project, links the necessary classes, and runs the program without any manual intervention.

Furthermore, NetBeans automatically generates JAR files for projects, which simplifies deployment and distribution.

Conclusion and Recommendation

Based on my experience, I would not recommend using Visual Studio Code for Java development, except in specific scenarios. The lack of a more streamlined project setup and the need for manual classpath management can significantly hamper productivity. For those working in an Oracle environment or developing their own programming languages, VS Code might be a viable option. However, for most Java developers, the ease and efficiency provided by NetBeans make it a better choice.

As the official Visual Studio Magazine article points out, VS Code supports many common Java development techniques through extensions. However, for Java development, the capabilities of NetBeans for project management and automatic classpath handling provide a more polished experience.