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Why should I use Eclipse instead of Xcode? [message #1477069]

Mon, 17 November 2014 15:44

James Daykin

Messages: 4
Registered: November 2014

Junior Member

is it better in any way? Just found out I can code java on xcode

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Re: Why should I use Eclipse instead of Xcode? [message #1479525 is a reply to message #1477069]

Wed, 19 November 2014 13:58

Eric Rizzo

Messages: 3070
Registered: July 2009

Senior Member

One short, contrite answer would be, "Because Apple hates Java." Yes, it's contrite but like most attempts at humor it's grounded in a bit of truth.
More seriously, Xcode is not, and never will be, focused on being a good Java IDE. Eclipse has been such for 10+ years.
Having used both for non-trivial projects, my assessment is that Xcode is far inferior even without considering Java. What I mean is when I did iOS development using Xcode I constantly found myself wishing it had feature after feature that Eclipse does.

The Java capabilities of Eclipse are so extensive that they can't even really be listed in one place; Xcode really isn't even in the same game, much less the same ballpark.

Bottom line: use the best tool for each job. If you want to do iOS or OS X development, then Xcode blows the socks off Eclipse. But that doesn't make it appropriate for Java development. By analogy, a pneumatic nail gun is an excellent tool for driving large quantities of nails, but you shouldn't use it to drive screws.

[Updated on: Wed, 19 November 2014 14:02]

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