Do you intend to try your hands on Java programming without making any efforts to set up your computer? If yes, then you are in the right place. In this article, we will look at various online java tools that offer features to edit java code, compile the code, debug and run java code and much more.
The features offered by an online java compiler can vary from a basic compiler capable of converting your .java files to .class files to a full-featured cloud-based online java IDE that can be used to manage enterprise-grade java projects.
It is worth noting that most of the online tutorials, courses, and boot camps make use of browser-based java compilers in the course material. Students can run code snippets to see the output live, this helps in understanding the core concepts explained in the course.
Moreover, an online editor or compiler can be used by students to share code with fellow students and friends for review, debugging, or for working together on the same piece of code.
Which Online Java Compiler is Good for You?
Well, our team at noeticforce.com has done some analysis to figure out the best options, and listed below are the shortlisted compilers. You might need to try a few before settling for the one that meets your style and requirements.
However, before we get into the details.
If you simply want to execute a few code snippets, JDoodle, Browxy.com, or Repl.It is great options, these tools provide clutter-free and simple to use interface.
On the other end of the spectrum are very advanced and feature-rich development environments like Cloud9, currently owned by Amazon.com and offered as part of the AWS stack. Online editors like Cloud9 provide you all the powerful features that you typically get in an offline IDE like Eclipse.
Another category of online compilers which is fast becoming popular includes tools for conducting online coding interviews. Two of the popular online tools in this category include Remoteinterview.io and CodeBunk.
Let us look at what various compilers have to offer –
1. JDoodle for Java Online
I like JDoodle for its simple and clean interface. You get options to edit the java code in the browser, save, run, debug, share your code with others, and much more.
JDoodle provides all standard java libraries required to learn the programming basics or run the code snippets given in the textbooks, tutorials, and courses. But in case you need to add any third party libraries or frameworks, you can do so too with a couple of clicks, from Maven public repository.
Some of the key features include –
- Collaborate function to generate URLs that can be shared with others for pair programming.
- Option to embed your JDoodle snippets directly in the webpage/blog
- Shows CPU time and memory used by the program
- Compiler API for you to build your own compiler services
- And many more including options to change fonts, theme color, save projects etc.
Just so you know, JDoodle supports many other languages including Ruby, Groovy, Go, Kotlin, Rust, Scala, Python, C/C++, and more.
2. Browxy.com Java Compiler
This is another simple to use yet feature-rich online compiler for Java. Like JDoodle, Browxy is also very popular among students and lets you start off within no time.
Browxy provides three views in the workspace, as below –
- Applet view
- Console view
- Log view for analysis and error reporting.
You can run snippets without the need to log in or signup. However, if you want to save code snippets for later use or want to share your code with others, or want to work on the same code in collaboration with your friends, teachers, or fellow students, then you would need to sign up to continue. It is free to use.
To familiarize yourself with Java code, you can also pick up freely available sample java programs and play around. Some of the sample programs include a password generator, CSV writer, and a loan calculator.
3. Repl.it
Repl.it has an online interactive programming environment for many languages including Java. It provides a Java code compiler, many ready to use examples, and a full-featured terminal emulator.
Repl.it is created and maintained by a team including tech enthusiasts like Amjad Masad, Haya Odeh, and Faris Masad. Over the last few years, the team has added more features and the tool has grown in popularity.
You get the option to share your work with others as well as saving the session on repl.it to work at a later stage.
Repl.it also offers advanced features like API integration. One can use Repl.it APIs and add compiler and editor features in their own website, application, or tool which can be used for hackathons, interviews, or coding contests.
Repl.it also happens to be popular among teachers and interviewers, and is used by popular institutions like Carnegie Mellon University, One Interview, Trinket, and Flatiron school.
4. Tutorialspoint.com/CodingGround
TutorialsPoint is one of the most popular websites out there in the wild for learning various programming languages including Java, and hosts tons of java tutorials.
The best thing about learning Java at tutorialspoint.com is the accompanying java compiler that can be used to edit and run java code right there in the browser.
Tutorialspoint Java compiler and editor offers many features like creating and managing a full project, saving the code, downloading the code, and much more.
Coding Ground – Tutorials Point
5. GDB Online Compiler
GDB online compiler is relatively new but supports many programming languages. While GDB offers many features like JDoodle, Repl.it, and Browxy, its debugger support seems much better. You can set breakpoints to debug the code whenever you run into errors and need to do code analysis.
You can also use a code formatter to automatically indent and arrange the code, use command line arguments, save files, and much more.
6. Codiva for Java Online
Codiva.io is another excellent online compiler and editor, very close to real desktop IDE. It is the latest entrant in the game but is quite fast and easy to use. Some of the key highlights of Codiva are as below –
- Good syntax highlighting and autocomplete.
- Compilation happens in the background, after every few keystrokes. The error lines are highlighted within a second after typing the code.
- When running the code, the output is streamed. Unlike other IDEs, a Thread.sleep(5) actually waits 5 seconds. Reading from stdin is exactly like when you type in the command line.
- You can create multiple files and packages.
- Codiva projects can be embedded in your blog. So your users can directly run your sample code without leaving the browser.
7. Ideone.com Compiler and Editor
Ideone.com is one of the best free online Java compilers to play around with Java. The key features of Ideone.com include syntax highlighting, source code downloading option, option to make code available for public viewing, or keeping it private to be accessed by you only.
You can also keep an eye on the time taken for code execution, memory utilization, and error messages, etc. while running java code.
Ideone is one of the most sophisticated code compilers and supports multiple programming languages by the use of a proprietary Sphere engine.
Sphere engine is also available for commercial use and it is used heavily in coding contests, Hackathons, training institutions, education sectors to teach coding and taking coding interviews etc. Sphere engine can be used in third party applications by using provided APIs.
8. Rextester – Simple Java Compiler
The name Rextester is derived from Regular Expression Tester since this online web app was built as a regular expression tester. Over a period of time, it has established a good ground as a java 8 compiler and fast becoming popular among the community of developers. It is also used by many C# developers since it added features for c# prior to supporting java.
Collaboration among remote users is an absolute breeze with Restester, you can initiate coding sessions, generate URLs, share with your partners, and start coding together.
Restester has some limitations like you have to work with a single file with the name Rextester, and the class should not be a public class. Anyways, why would a single class in a project, for one-time use, be public in any case.
9. Cloud 9
Cloud9 is part of the AWS stack and can be used free with AWS free tier, you would need to sign up for the same. Cloud9 is beyond all other tools mentioned in this article and compares with the IDEs that run on your computer or server like Eclipse and NetBeans etc.
Why is Cloud9 in this list?
Thought of adding something top-notch and commercial to give you a perspective on what all exists online.Cloud9 is the trend leader and has brought enterprise-grade development from desktop to the cloud.
10. RemoteInterview.io
Remoteinterview.io focuses specifically on the needs of the interviewers and offers features to ease out the interviewing process. To conduct an interview, sessions can be created and shared with the candidates, who can complete the coding live in the browser. You can see the execution of the code and any errors. Issues to evaluate the candidate.
The Java Editor and IDE offered by Remove interview can be used for pair programming, interviewing java coders, without the need for any installations. It can also be used to share java code snippets across.
CodeBunk is another one in the same category as RemoteInterview.io and offers more or less the same kind of features.
Remoteinterview.io Java Editor
11. CodeChef
Codechef is a lot more than just an online java compiler. It is a platform where you can participate in programming contests and hone your skills. You can also interact with others and learn the core concepts of programming in the area of algorithm development, binary search, other core programming problems, and more.
You also get to participate in forums, go through freely available tutorials, receive points for being a contributor on the site, and for winning contests. The website lists your ranks based on your points, many coders actively participate to win prizes and improve their rank.
Conclusion
The world is moving towards technology and everyone irrespective of their domain wants to learn at least the basics of programming. Setting up the system to run a few snippets can be overhead and not required for many, it is also cumbersome. And for that reason, online ready to use editors and compilers are very helpful. Specifically, if you are not from the programming background.
In any case, the age-old concept of setting up servers or local machines is gone now and online cloud-based tools are becoming the default choice for development. The online Java Compiler and Editors discussed in this article are among the best in the market in their respective areas, and we really hope one of these tools definitely fits your development workflow.
Do share your experience with the Java compiler online with our readers, via comments.
