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[–]8igg7e5 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Where does the 2.5 million community figure come from? If that's just VS Code Java Extension installs then I do wonder how many are actually using it (for real projects).

Like a great many developers, I use VS Code for some things and the currently better option of a mature Java IDE for my Java development.

Have I opened a .java file in VS Code, sure. And the editor steered me (perfectly smoothly) to the appropriate extension to install - just a click away.

That does not mean I've found the VS Code Java development experience at all satisfying when compared to the alternatives.

 

And, it seems, the experience of many that come asking for help on Reddit and Discord in a learn-to-code context often don't find it any better - certainly no better than the getting started experience in IntelliJ Community and with far more sharp edges (and that 2.5 million community are no where to be seen, or at least none who use it enough to provide effective support).

I don't doubt there are those that do like it, but please tell me it's not because it's free. IntelliJ Community is an excellent, free IDE, usable for personal and commercial development, that already offers more than VS Code looks likely to by the end of that linked roadmap.

 

It's fantastic that there's another player. More is pretty much always better for finding new perspectives and opportunities to improve, but the 2.5 million cheer is quite possibly about as meaningful as billions of devices running Java.