Experiences with IDEs and Java Teaching: What Works and What Doesn't BlueJ

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Experiences with IDEs and Java Teaching What
Works and What Doesn't?BlueJ

• Michael Kölling
• University of Southern Denmark

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IDE/OO ? OO/IDE
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The usual stuff...

• integrated editor/ compiler/ runtime/ project
  management/ debugger
• integrated javadoc generation
• easy to set up (classpath, etc..)
• Advantages
• easy to use
• custom tools for teaching

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...and then more!

• class structure display
• visual representation of concepts
• interactive object creation
• interactive method calls
• I/O through method parameters and return values

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Pros and Cons

• objects first!
• focus on OOP, not environment
• emphasis on concepts, not syntax
• highly interactive, engaging, encourages
  experimentation

• not a professional tool
• needs care that whole-application development
  does not get lost
• transition to professional IDE needs attention