You’re currently using Visual Studio Code and enjoying it, but your university teacher mentioned that Eclipse is preferred for Java coding because it’s easier to use. You’ve also heard that Eclipse wasn’t great in the past, so you’re unsure if it’s worth switching. Let’s break down the pros and cons of both to help you decide!
Visual Studio Code – Lightweight and Flexible
You know, after working with various editors over the years, I’ve really come to appreciate Visual Studio Code and Eclipse for Java development—especially VS Code when you want speed and simplicity. VS Code feels like a breath of fresh air. It’s super lightweight, boots up quickly, and doesn’t hog system resources.
What makes it shine is its customizability. You can shape it however you want with extensions and themes. The Java Extension Pack gives you solid support for IntelliSense, linting, and even basic debugging.
It’s also great if you’re dabbling in multiple languages. One editor, tons of languages—switching is seamless.
Of course, there’s a trade-off. It doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of a full-blown IDE. For quick prototyping or learning Java, VS Code is awesome. But if you’re managing a complex enterprise-level codebase, you might feel it’s a bit too lean.
Eclipse – A Full-Featured Java IDE
Yeah, I get where Tom’s coming from—I’ve used both extensively. But when you’re knee-deep in a legacy project with hundreds of modules, Visual Studio Code and Eclipse for Java development really show their differences. That’s where Eclipse starts to stand out.
Eclipse is built for Java—it comes with powerful built-in tools like an advanced debugger, refactoring utilities, and integration with Maven and Gradle right out of the box.
For large-scale apps, you’ll appreciate its project management features and the way it handles enterprise complexity.
It’s not all roses, though. It can be sluggish, especially on older machines. And yeah, the UI isn’t as slick as VS Code. But once you’re comfortable with it, Eclipse becomes a robust ally in enterprise environments.
So, if you’re building the kind of app that needs heavy integration or deep debugging, Eclipse is still hard to beat.
Why Not Both? Match the Tool to the Task
Honestly, from my experience toggling between fast-paced startup projects and structured enterprise code, the smartest approach with Visual Studio Code and Eclipse for Java development is: don’t pick one—use both.
When I need to whip up something quickly, or I’m switching between Java and frontend work, VS Code is my go-to. It’s agile, modern, and easy on resources.
But the moment the project scope grows—say you’re working on a backend-heavy system with multiple modules—Eclipse becomes essential. It’s just better equipped to handle scale and depth.
Sometimes I even use both for the same project—VS Code for writing tests or documentation, Eclipse for deeper refactors or running tests.
It’s less about which is better, and more about what your workflow demands at the time. Flexibility wins.