Scalable Human Blog

Hello, developers! Today, let’s talk about maximizing efficiency in IntelliJ IDEA, the popular IDE known for its robust features that support development in Java, Kotlin, and other languages. One common task we often grapple with is recompiling and debugging changes quickly. It’s crucial to have a workflow that allows for rapid iteration, especially when you’re deep in the development process. Let’s explore some tips and techniques to speed up recompilation and debugging in IntelliJ, making your coding sessions more productive and less frustrating.

1. Instant Run: The Game Changer

First and foremost, let’s talk about one of IntelliJ’s more impressive features: Instant Run. This feature automatically detects changes in your code and attempts to hot swap them without restarting the entire application. It’s perfect for quick iterations, especially when working on small changes.

• How to Use: Just run your application in debug mode and make your changes. IntelliJ will try to inject these changes without needing a full recompile.
• Limitations: Be aware that some changes (like structural changes to classes) might still require a full restart.

2. Utilizing IntelliJ’s Build Project Feature

IntelliJ’s Build Project feature (accessible via Build > Build Project) is often faster than running a full rebuild since it only compiles files that have been changed.

• Shortcut: The default shortcut for this is Ctrl+F9 (or ⌘F9 on macOS). Remembering and using this shortcut can save a substantial amount of time.

3. Debugging with Breakpoints

IntelliJ’s debugging tool is robust. Make the most of it with breakpoints. You can set breakpoints not just on lines of code, but also on specific exceptions, field modifications, and method entries/exits.

• Conditional Breakpoints: Use conditional breakpoints if you only want to stop at a certain point under specific conditions, which is excellent for not breaking on every iteration of a loop, for example.
• Evaluate and Log: With this option, IntelliJ can log information to the console or evaluate expressions when the breakpoint is hit, without interrupting the flow by stopping the execution.

4. On-the-fly Code Changes in Debug Mode

One of IntelliJ’s most useful features for debugging is the ability to change the code on-the-fly while in debug mode.

• How it Works: When you hit a breakpoint, you can modify the code, and IntelliJ will attempt to recompile and apply these changes instantly.

5. Smart Step Into

Smart Step Into is a feature that is particularly useful when you have multiple method calls on a single line and you want to step into a specific one.

• Usage: When you’re at a breakpoint and want to step into a specific method, use Shift+F7 instead of the regular F7. This will show you all the method calls on that line, and you can choose the specific one you want to debug.

6. Run Dashboard for Multi-module Applications

If you’re working with multi-module applications, the Run Dashboard feature can be a time-saver. It allows you to manage multiple run configurations and get a quick overview of their status.

• Organization: You can organize run configurations in folders, which is especially helpful when dealing with large projects.

7. Use IntelliJ’s Code Analyzing Features

Before you even get to the debugging phase, use IntelliJ’s code analysis features to catch potential issues.

• Inspections and Intentions: Use Alt+Enter to access quick fixes and inspections that can prevent bugs before they happen.

8. Customizing Debugging Views

Customize your debugging views in IntelliJ. Tailor the information displayed in the debugger to suit your needs, focusing on the data that’s most important to you.

• Watch Panel: Use the watch panel to keep an eye on specific variables or expressions throughout your debugging session.

Conclusion

Efficient recompiling and debugging in IntelliJ IDEA can significantly enhance your productivity and make the development process more enjoyable. By mastering these tips, you can streamline your workflow, allowing you to spend more time on creative coding and less on waiting for your project to build or debug. Remember, every second saved in your development process accumulates into more time for innovation and creativity. Happy coding! 🚀💻

📚 Further Reading & Related Topics

If you’re exploring how to optimize your IntelliJ debugging workflow, these related articles will provide deeper insights:

• Navigating Java Version Upgrades for Your Spring Boot Application – Learn how upgrading Java versions impacts debugging, compilation speed, and overall development efficiency.

• Mastering Dependency Management with Maven – Discover how optimizing dependency resolution and build configurations can enhance your development and debugging workflow in IntelliJ.