7 Proven Tips to Write Cleaner, More Efficient Java Code

These seven practical tips can help you write shorter, cleaner, and more maintainable Java code.

1. Use IntelliJ IDEA as your IDE

I have used Eclipse for six years and NetBeans for three, but most of the time I rely on IntelliJ IDEA. It suggests best‑practice code, offers quick fixes with Alt+Enter, and provides useful insights. For optimal performance, run it on an SSD (at least 256 GB).

2. Use JDK 8 or higher

Starting with JDK 8, features such as lambda expressions, functional interfaces, and the Stream API let you write more concise and expressive code. IntelliJ IDEA assists you in using these features.

3. Use Maven or Gradle

Manage dependencies, builds, and deployments with Maven or Gradle. If you reuse internal libraries across projects, consider a private Nexus repository; otherwise publish to Maven Central.

4. Use Lombok

Eliminate boilerplate for getters, setters, hashCode / equals, constructors, and toString with a single annotation such as @Data. Lombok generates the bytecode at compile time.

5. Write unit tests

Testable code tends to be better organized and clearer because it forces you to define class relationships and method visibility up front. Even small unit tests speed development by providing fast feedback and preventing bugs. JUnit and TestNG both work; I prefer TestNG.

6. Refactor frequently but incrementally

Short, clean code is achieved through continual improvement. Apply small refactorings and run your tests to ensure behavior remains unchanged. IntelliJ IDEA offers powerful refactoring tools such as extract method, rename, and inline.

For a deeper understanding of refactoring, see Martin Fowler’s book “Refactoring: Improving the Design of Existing Code (2nd Edition)”.

7. Visit customers regularly for feedback

Although it feels like it belongs at the top of the list, staying in touch with customers (or product owners) helps you discover real needs early and avoid building unnecessary features.

Regular communication saves time and aligns development with actual user problems.

Original link: https://dzone.com/articles/7-tips-to-write-better-java-code-you-should-know-1 Author: Nathanael Yang Translator: Darren Luo