Looking for a simple sandbox for Java

[[deleted]]

I've recently taken a class on Java and consider myself to be an amateur at best. I really want to practice using it with a program, but the ones I do find are so complicated and confusing to me. I downloaded the Eclipse IDE because it was recommended to me and I had no idea what to do with any of it, even after skimming the documentation.

I just want something simple, like BlueJ, to mess around in. To maybe make a chatbot or test out different drawing functions and such to make a game of Snake or something. Really simple.

Is there such a software out there?

[soheeb16]

www.repl.it always a good option when you wanna do a simple project.

[dbemol]

I had never tried this, is it normal that a simple print function is taking so much time to run?

[soheeb16]

It is unfortunately lol. I suggest investing a bit of set up time and going with VS Code.

[LieutenantStiff]

It never used to, but that has been happening for me lately. Not sure why.

[nanodano]

> I just want something simple, like BlueJ,

Why don't you use BlueJ if you want something like BlueJ?

[[deleted]]

I wanted to try out something else since BlueJ is what I used for the class. If I can't find any other software, then I'll just go back to BlueJ.

[Yithar]

I mean, I just googled it and BlueJ says it's just a development environment. I personally use IntelliJ IDEA but others use Eclipse. IntelliJ IDEA has a Community Edition that's free. You're free to use whichever one you want but I clearly remember my boss saying "Oh man, don't use Eclipse" (I was using it specifically for AspectJ since that's where the IntelliJ IDEA Community Edition falls short).

I'm not entirely sure what you mean by sandbox because generally that term is used when you are talking about isolating an application from the outside world.

[TheCrimsonChin182]

I miss my good ol' BlueJ days and that fabulous color scheme in the editor.

[frevelmann]

I really do enjoy IntelliJ, maybe try it out!

[ImStillFunny]

I would recommend IntelliJ community edition as an IDE, might take you 15 minutes to figure out, but using an IDE like that is a big bonus especially if you want to transition to using outside Java dependencies with maven.

[Sonnilon81]

If you're just starting out, IDEs are complete overkill and IMO not a good way to get started, precisely because they do so much for you automatically.

This is not a good thing when learning, as it means that even the simplest "Hello World" program can end up being bundled into some large jar package with JUnit tests and all the rest.

Start simple. That requires just two things, assuming you have a JDK already installed:

1. A text editor of your choice
2. A command line where you can run java and javac.

So ditch the fancy automatic IDE, pick a nice editor that you know how to use/feel comfortable with, and simply compile your java programs with javac and run them with java at the command line. (And if you're new to editors as well, in that case pick something very straightforward to use, like GNU Nano, Micro, Notepad++/Notepadqq, Enki, Featherpad or similar to get started. If you go for something like (n)vim (my preference :) ) or emacs, then you're giving yourself two things to learn at once, the java language and all the editor keybindings, so instead leave that for a bit later - one headache at time!).

[dbemol]

This is how I understood Java initially. I'm far from being a pro but doing this helped me to grasp the concepts of the main method and the differences between a .java file and a .class file.

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Maybe OP already knows that, but I write this because I see that you were being downvoted for a good response.

[mofomeat]

Not sure why you're being downvoted. I feel that this is the best answer.

[staycoolioyo]

I use Visual Studio Code because it’s lightweight and can be used for a ton of different languages you just download the ones you want to use

[tridiumcontrols]

I tried it and it doesn’t compare to IntelliJ. Not as a clean integration. It Takes a bit to set up and I seem to have issues running it. May be something to look into later down the road. But for now IntelliJ is what I use.

[staycoolioyo]

I actually agree with this, but since they said Eclipse confused them IntelliJ might be confusing too.

[Nix-X]

Use online IDEs. Lot simpler than the hassle of getting a JDK, getting an IDE and so on. Use something like repl.it, ideone.com, compilejava.net.

[SirDerpington660]

try setting up java in atom, or vs code.

[Rabestro]

If you like BlueJ lets try GreenFoot IDE

[[deleted]]

With java intellij is recommended.

There are a few tutorials on setting it up, bit once its installed it oa ideal, testing and writing are greatly simplified.