What is the best Integrated development environment (IDE) software for Java?

Thanks all

There are two major environments used by almost everyone:

1. Eclipse (really popular)
2. NetBeans by Sun themselves.

Both are really very good. I'd recommend you try Eclipse. It is simpler and has all features you can ever need and more...

NetBeans is free, can generate javadoc for ur programs, plus will show the Java code and API when integrated.

Visual Studio has a very nice plattform and autocomplete, but it's limited to java 1.4.1.2 and isn't free.

Eclipse is a preferred simple IDE that has all you need.

BlueJ offers a wonderful graphical interface to show the inheritence between classes. It's very simple and good for beginner who will have to actually memorize the API.

I hate when someone asks a "best IDE" question because editors are like religion -- most people have one they like, they'll tolerate others, and are violently opposed to a few.

There are some very nice IDEs that are essentially free that work very will with Java. Eclipse is the one that I use (www.eclipse.org). Make sure you download everything that you need.

One of my clients loves NetBeans. You can get it for free from Sun.

JCreator is excellent, but I don't think it is free.

I prefer simplicity, the only pseudo-modern feature I look for is colour-coding, given that I have no major projects ever I chose to use DrJava (a university tool) only occasionally I do need the code interpreter to evaluate a certain formula.

And I used Notepad for JSP before, I haven't run into an IDE that recognizes JSP file.

I prefer the simpler, more user-friendly IDE. I used to use an older version of JCreator, but it started adding like 20 different features and menus, so now I use TextPad. I don't recommend NetBeans or Eclipse just because it can be a little overwhelming, especially for less-experienced programmers. But that's just my taste and opinion. If you're just after a nice simple place to write, compile, and run programs, check out TextPad. Or if you are into fancy features and plugins, then you may like NetBeans.