Setting Up a Spring Boot Java Project in Visual Studio Code

Visual Studio Code (VSCode) is a lightweight and efficient code editor that has become increasingly popular among developers. In this post, we’ll walk you through the process of setting up a Spring Boot Java project in VSCode, including configuring launch.json and recommended extensions.

Step 1: Install VSCode

If you haven’t already, download and install VSCode from here.

Step 2: Install Java Extensions

You will need the following extensions for Java development in VSCode:

Java Extension Pack: A collection of extensions for Java development.
Spring Boot Extension Pack: A set of extensions tailored specifically for Spring Boot development.

Search for these extensions in the Extensions view (Ctrl + Shift + X) and install them.

Step 3: Create a New Spring Boot Project

You can create a new Spring Boot project using the Spring Initializer or by running the following command in your terminal:

spring init --dependencies=web my-spring-boot-project

Open the project folder in VSCode.

Step 4: Configure `launch.json`

launch.json is a configuration file used by VSCode to launch your application. Create a .vscode folder in your project root and add a launch.json file with the following content:

{
  "version": "1.0.0",
  "configurations": [
    {
      "type": "java",
      "name": "Launch MySpringBootApplication",
      "request": "launch",
      "mainClass": "com.example.MySpringBootApplication",
      "projectName": "my-spring-boot-project",
      "args": ""
    }
  ]
}

Replace com.example.MySpringBootApplication with the fully qualified name of your main application class.

Step 5: Run Your Project

With the launch.json file configured, you can now run your Spring Boot project by pressing F5 or by clicking on the green play button in the debug view.

Step 6: Explore Additional Extensions

Here are some additional extensions that may be helpful for Spring Boot development in VSCode:

Lombok Annotations Support for VSCode: If your project uses Lombok, this extension provides support for Lombok annotations.
Spring Boot Dashboard: This extension provides a dashboard for managing your Spring Boot applications.

Conclusion

Setting up a Spring Boot project in VSCode is a straightforward process, and with the right extensions, you can have a development environment that’s tailored to your needs. Give it a try and enjoy the lightweight, efficient, and versatile experience that VSCode has to offer!

📚 Further Reading & Related Topics

If you’re setting up a Spring Boot project in Visual Studio Code, these related articles will provide additional insights into optimizing your development workflow:

• The Case for Visual Studio Code in Spring Boot Java Development – Explore why VS Code is a solid choice for Java development, including its strengths and limitations compared to other IDEs.

• Spring Boot and Docker: Containerizing Your Application – Learn how to take your Spring Boot project from local development to production-ready containers using Docker.

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