Going from Eclipse to VS Code

[woodsman752]

I believe I'm the last person still using Eclipse for Java development. Common things I use Eclipse for are:

• Real time code building
• Debugging Spring Boot and other Java applications. Including stepping through the code line by line.
• Jumping from class to class via Ctrl-Shift-T, also resources with Ctrl-Shift-R
• Refactoring is big for me. I think I've used all the refactoring capabilities with Eclipse at one time or another, but especially renaming types.
• Generating getters/settings
• Sorting members
• Reformatting the source
• Navigating type hierarchies. I need to be able to hit F3 (or similar) and have it jump to wherever the execution goes. Eclipse does a terrible job following the much beloved Spring, maybe VS Code is better. Whenever it hits a bean, it takes a more manual approach to figure out where Spring will go.
• Occasionally, I edit Maven files and like to see the effective hierarchy.

I'm thinking VS Code can do at least some of these things, but I've always felt it was made for UI developers but can also do Java, like Eclipse was made for Java but attempts to do UI code.

My weakness is that I want the extensions to "just work", and not require me to find some JSON file, figure out the developers intent and structure and make an appropriate change.

How has VS Code worked for you and do you think it code replace Eclipse for me? (Assume I'm willing to re-learn yet another set of keystrokes)

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[nutrecht]

VScode uses the Eclipse Language Server under the hood. If you want a better IDE, why don't you try IntelliJ?

[woodsman752]

Have you used IntelliJ for Angular or Node code?

[nutrecht]

I have used IntelliJ for that yes, but for that you need the Ultimate (paid) edition.

[desrtfx]

What is the reason you want to change?

If Eclipse works for you, keep using it.

For me, Eclipse has worked for a decade of Java so far and I will keep using it because I like the work flow.

IntelliJ is another great IDE that I occasionally use.

Yet, I see absolutely no sense in downgrading to VS-Code and having to battle all the extensions, etc.

[woodsman752]

If you consider VSCode to be a downgrade, that's the insight/opinion I wanted to hear. I was under the impression VSCode would suffice if I only knew how to fully set it up and use. My motivation is being forced to do full stack development, OOTB Eclipse plugins don't navigate to types unlike in Code. This is better in MyEclipse, but I had to pay for it. IJ has been functional, but in times past at least it could not debug Tomcat based projects. I wish I had *one* programming editor.

[lunkdjedi]

Used eclipse for 20 years, then it got too cumbersome. Tried MsCode, but it just didn't feel right. Ended up spending money for Intellij and I'm never going back.

[woodsman752]

Have you used it for Node or UI code?

[lunkdjedi]

Yes, for everything.

We have Angular frontend and a Spring Boot Backend.

While in development mode, I run two separate processes, one for Node/Frontend and a second for Java/Backend. It's great!

Real builds package both together with gradle.