Java enhancements in VS Code to include smarter code completion, better debugging, and deeper integration with Kubernetes and cloud services.
Looking to bolster the appeal of Visual Studio Code to Java developers, Microsoft has published a roadmap for bringing new Java-related capabilities to the code editor. Among the goals is making it easier to migrate to VS Code from other Java IDEs.
There are now more than 1.5 million Java developers using the code editor, Microsoft said. Several areas of investment have been designated for 2022, including the “inner loop” development experience, cloud-native development, build tools, performance and reliability, and other aspects of the user experience.
For inner loop development, improved code completion intelligence and optimization for common cases are planned, along with better code snippet generation and shortcuts based on user preference. Code completion performance improvements are eyed, as well. Planned debugging improvements include virtual thread support, debug for compiled classes, faster evaluation in variable views, and lambda expression valuation.
The 2022 roadmap also includes Java 18 support; Java 18 itself is due in March. For cloud-native development, the intention is to deepen integration with both Kubernetes and cloud services such as Azure Spring Cloud. Other goals cited on the roadmap:
Improving the reliability of the Java Language Server and reducing project import times.
Improving the user experience by making features more discoverable and easier to use.
Improving the Maven and Gradle extensions.
Additionally, Microsoft plans better JUnit testing, a better package import/project creation experience related to Swing/JavaFX applications, and support for Live Share in VS Code Java. The company also aims to simplify the creation of Spring components for Spring Boot, enhancing the overall experience for developers using these frameworks.
These enhancements are part of Microsoft’s broader strategy to make Visual Studio Code a more powerful and attractive option for Java developers, addressing key areas that will help streamline development workflows and improve productivity.