New VS Code Java Update: Suffix Completion, Organize Imports, and Step‑Into Target

Visual Studio Code team released the November Java update, adding new code editing features such as suffix completion and improved organize import, as well as a debugger enhancement called “Step Into Target”. The update also brings visual enhancements for Spring components.

Suffix Completion

Suffix completion lets you insert predefined code snippets immediately after typing an expression, a feature popular in JetBrains IDEs now available in VS Code.

Supported suffix shortcuts include: cast – ((SomeType) expr) – converts an expression to a new type. else – if (!expr) – creates a negated if statement. for – for (T item : expr) – creates a for‑each loop. fori – for (int i = 0; i < expr.length; i++) – creates a classic indexed for loop. forr – for (int i = expr.length‑1; i >= 0; i--) – iterates an array in reverse order. if – if (expr) – creates an if statement. nnull – if (expr != null) – checks that an expression is not null. null – if (expr == null) – checks that an expression is null. sysout – System.out.println(expr) – prints a value to the console. throw – throw expr – throws the given exception. var – T name = expr – declares a new variable. while – while (expr) {} – creates a while loop.

Organize / Clean Imports Optimization

QuickFix now offers “Remove all unused imports”.

QuickFix can also “Add all missing imports”.

The Source Action menu provides “Add all missing imports” as an alternative.

Debugging New Feature – Step Into Target

When debugging code with many nested calls, the new “Step Into Target” UI lets you jump directly to a chosen function, simplifying navigation through complex call stacks.

Spring Component Visuals

Visual cues have been added next to Spring beans and endpoint mappings, showing green icons that reveal details on hover and provide a link to open the component in the Spring Boot Dashboard.

To use these features, install the Extension Pack for Java from the VS Code Marketplace:

https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=vscjava.vscode-java-pack

Spring developers can also install the Spring Boot plugin pack for dedicated Spring Boot experience:

https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=Pivotal.vscode-boot-dev-pack

More information: https://devblogs.microsoft.com/java-ch/java-on-visual-studio-code-2022-11/