What, you hate me, JBuilder? Well, I hate you too!

[filburt1]

What Java IDE other than JBuilder (it hates me, I hate it) can I use to edit Java code? All I really need is something that can do syntax highlighting and be able to run/step within the IDE.

The other two major things that really limit me are that they have to be free downloads and they have to be able to design Swing GUIs.

[Dillinger4]

Hey filby why not use FORTE? Have you tried it?
Im thinking about getting EditPlus just for syntax
highlighting since i code in notepad. I think the full version for
edit plus is $30 .

[filburt1]

I just tried it, it's too slow because it is written in Java, just like JBuilder. JCreator is awesome, but it can't make Swing stuff like the VB IDE.

[sail3005]

use jbuilder 3 and just update the jdk

[filburt1]

Does Borland offer old downloads like that?

[DaoK]

I use Jbuilder 3 ( teacher wont let you update )

[filburt1]

Good. Because JBuilder 4+ sucks.

[Wynd]

Hehe, I don't like JBuilder either. It does wierd things though. I used it in my Java class and when it started up it would always access the floppy drive for a minute or two before saying it isn't ready, and a few times when I started typing it would act like i was pressing the delete key. I tell ya, I don't miss it

[sail3005]

you could be l33t and just use the raw JDK

[DaoK]

Why Jbuilder 4+ is so bad ???

[filburt1]

It is slow and buggy.

[Radames]

a few minutes ago i got a free editor called javapad from download.com
Havent used it yet but you can compile, run and view applets from the menu. I kinda like the command line jdk. Am I weird?

[filburt1]

I need something that can graphically create Swing programs, like the VB IDE can create forms.

[DaoK]

Turtle have you see than your avartar is in the wrong side today


My question is :

like the VB IDE can create forms.

What is VisualBasic IDE ?

[filburt1]

I thought about inverting it, but I just inverted it another way.

IDE = Integrated Developing Evironment (or some permutation of those words). An IDE is more special than Notepad in that it can compile code within the IDE, color certain keywords, graphically design programs, etc.

[zmerlinz]

i started Java classes this week at uni, and we use a text syntax highlighting called GWd editor, i don't know if it will do what you want, but i think that it is cool

it is at www.gwdsoft.com

[Fool]

Get RealJ. It's just like JBuilder. The best part about it is, it's free!

www.realj.com (I believe)

[filburt1]

Originally posted by Fool
Get RealJ. It's just like JBuilder. The best part about it is, it's free!

www.realj.com (I believe)

I checked it out; it doesn't look like you can do Swing layouts like I want (point and click).

[Dillinger4]

I dont understand when you say "I dont think you can to Swing
GUI's" What does the IDE havew to do with the the actual API of the language? Indulge me

[filburt1]

I know you can just type the code for laying out a Swing program. But I was thinking VB style (a bad idea for Java ) where you just drag and drop to make your layout. JBuilder can do it but it is really crappy, slow, and doesn't really look like what does when it runs.

[Dillinger4]

Oh ok. I kind of thought that is what you ment. That would be kind of cool but then if building a GUI in Java was like it is in VB maybe java programmers wouldnt get paid as much.

[sail3005]

i still say jbuilder is the best, if you know how to use it.

[filburt1]

I know how to use it, but I can't find a good and fast alternative to it to compare it.

[sail3005]

well what does it give you problems with?

[Mrs Kensington]

I personally use JCreator 2 Pro as it's the best one i've found so far.
Its an IDE so no worries about scrabling around on the command prompt, its got synatax high-lighting and the context-help thing like in VB so where you select a class and hit F1 (or whatever you've mapped it to) and it brings up the javadoc page on that class!. There is a lite version which is free but if you pay (it isn't that much) you get code completion (for when your being lazy) and other stuff.
The only thing it doesn't do is GUI creation but you should make them like Men do! All in code!!! (it's easy once you get the hang of it). I could never get the hang of JBuilder's GUI creation part anyway!
I used GWD Text Editor as well (think i went/go to the same uni as you zmerlinz) but thats all it is a Text Editor. At editing text its great (though i prefer text-pad) but it has no IDE stuff!

oh and the url for JCreator is http://www.JCreator.com

[filburt1]

Originally posted by sail3005
well what does it give you problems with?

It's slow, crashy, and has tons of bugs like printing the right file header but the wrong class, etc.

[Dillinger4]

I just downloaded JCreator last night and i think that it is great.
So what's 65 or so bucks? Parents CC comes in handy. Too bad i have to pay them back.

[filburt1]

...as long as it's the company's money.

[sail3005]

Originally posted by filburt1
...as long as it's the company's money.

yeah, and who says they have to know about it

[DaoK]

JBuilder is great, the only thing I hate is the speed but all the rest it ok. Of course, it will be very great to make it like VB for the swing but nothing is perfect