Discover the Most Powerful IntelliJ IDEA 2024.2 Features for Java & Kotlin Developers

This morning I saw the IntelliJ IDEA 2024.2 release announcement and the new features immediately caught my attention, so I’m sharing the highlights that can help developers, especially those working with Java and Kotlin.

Spring Data JPA Instant Query

The 2024.2 Ultimate edition enhances Spring Data JPA support, allowing you to view the generated SQL for repository methods directly in the JPA console without running the application or analyzing log files.

Cron Expression Auto‑Completion

When using @Schedule to define tasks, the IDE now offers auto‑completion for CRON expressions, presenting ready‑made templates to simplify rule definition.

GraalJS as HTTP Client Engine

The HTTP client now uses GraalJS as its JavaScript engine, providing full ECMAScript 2023 support for scripts in .http files.

Log Management Enhancements

Java and Kotlin now benefit from highlighted string literals and argument parsing, navigation from placeholders to arguments, and detection of mismatched log placeholders. System.out.println statements can be converted to log calls with a single click.

Runtime Performance Charts

A new Performance tab in the Run tool window displays real‑time CPU and memory charts, lets you capture execution time, and allows memory snapshot analysis to identify leaks.

JSON, XML, HTML, JWT, and URL‑Encoded String Visualization

The debugger can now visualize these data formats directly from the variable view via a “View” link, automatically selecting the appropriate visualizer.

Other Updates

Faster startup: key features are accessible before full IDE initialization.

Markdown now supports inline ($) and block ($$) math expressions.

K2 mode stability and performance improvements: full support for gradle.kts, Kotlin Multiplatform, major refactorings, and a near‑doubling of code‑highlighting speed.

For a complete list of changes, see the official release notes at JetBrains IntelliJ IDEA 2024.2 What's New .