Emacs java-mode: malabar, jdee, or eclim?

Question

I want to use emacs for java coding, but I\'m confused on what mode to use for java coding. There\'s jdee, which seems ide-like; malabar, who is said to be more well versed in j

Answer 1

If you're using Maven, then I'd recommend malabar-mode. It will set everything up for you automagically, no need for editing project files like you'd have to do with JDEE. The downside I've found with malabar, is that it can consume a lot of memory if you've got a lot of multi level module projects open.

Both Malabar and JDEE will give you "true" completion, i.e. only completions that are possible. However, there are two amazing "intelligent guessing completion frameworks" in Emacs. hippie-expand and auto-complete.

The former is great (can complete whole code blocks for you, making it possible to e.g. cycle through all if-tests in your projects), but auto-complete mode is even better. It'll give you a nice intelli sense style menu, will "learn" as you use it, and allows you to define a file with the completions you'd like to be available in the various languages.