S01L03 – HelloWorld Java program with Maven

How to Create a HelloWorld Java Program with Maven in IntelliJ IDEA

Table of Contents

  1. Introduction
  2. What is Maven and Why Use it?
  3. Steps to Create a Maven Project in IntelliJ IDEA
  4. Writing a Simple HelloWorld Program
  5. Code Explanation and Output
  6. Conclusion

Introduction

In this guide, we will walk you through the process of creating a simple “HelloWorld” Java program using Maven in IntelliJ IDEA. Maven is a powerful project management tool commonly used in Java to manage dependencies and build automation. This guide is intended for beginners who want to familiarize themselves with the IntelliJ IDEA interface and Maven setup, and how to use them together to create a basic Java program.

Understanding how to create and manage projects using Maven in IntelliJ IDEA is essential for developers looking to build scalable, manageable Java applications. The steps are easy to follow, and by the end of this tutorial, you will have your first Maven project up and running in IntelliJ IDEA.

What is Maven and Why Use it?

Maven is a build automation and dependency management tool, specifically designed for Java projects. It allows developers to manage project dependencies (external libraries) and automate the build process efficiently. Maven is often used because:

  • Dependency Management: Maven manages all the external libraries and frameworks your project may need.
  • Build Automation: It simplifies the process of compiling, testing, and packaging Java projects.
  • Standardized Project Structure: Maven provides a predefined project structure that is easy to follow.

Pros of Using Maven:

  • Automatic dependency handling.
  • Simplifies project builds.
  • Integration with IDEs like IntelliJ IDEA.

Cons of Using Maven:

  • Can be overkill for smaller projects.
  • Requires configuration and setup time.

Steps to Create a Maven Project in IntelliJ IDEA

Step 1: Starting a New Project

First, launch IntelliJ IDEA and select New Project from the welcome screen.

  1. Open IntelliJ IDEA and click on “New Project”.
  2. You will be presented with several options, such as Gradle, Maven, and others. Select Maven.

Step 2: Selecting Maven

Once you have chosen to create a new project, select Maven as your project template. Maven provides several options, including archetypes (pre-configured templates), but for now, we can skip selecting an archetype.

  1. Select Maven from the available options.
  2. You will see a checkbox for Maven Archetype. You can skip this step for now and proceed with the default project setup.

Step 3: Configuring Project Details

Now, you will need to provide some basic details about your project:

  • Name: Enter a project name, e.g., HelloWorld.
  • Location: Choose the directory where your project will be saved.
  • Group ID: This identifies your organization or project. Enter org.studyeasy.
  • Artifact ID: This is usually the project name. Keep it as HelloWorld.

Step 4: Adding JDK 17

The next step is to select the JDK version. For this project, we will use JDK 17.

  1. Go to File > Project Structure and under Project SDK, select JDK 17.
  2. If you don’t have JDK 17 installed, download it from the Microsoft OpenJDK 17.

Writing a Simple HelloWorld Program

Once the Maven project is created, it’s time to write the actual Java code.

  1. Inside your project, navigate to the src/main/java directory.
  2. Create a new Java class, name it Main.java.
  3. In the Main.java file, enter the following code:

Code Explanation and Output

Code Breakdown:

  • package org.studyeasy;
    This defines the package for your project. It’s a way to group related classes.
  • public class Main
    This defines the main class of your program.
  • public static void main(String[] args)
    The entry point of the Java program. This method will be executed when the program runs.
  • System.out.println(“Hello and Welcome!”);
    This prints the message “Hello and Welcome!” to the console.

Expected Output:

After running the program, the output will be:

This simple program demonstrates how to create a Java application using Maven. It showcases the basic structure and execution flow of a Java program.

Conclusion

Creating a HelloWorld program using Maven in IntelliJ IDEA is a great way to start building Java applications. Maven simplifies dependency management and project setup, while IntelliJ IDEA provides a powerful and intuitive development environment. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you will be well on your way to mastering Java development with Maven.

Additionally, for more advanced Maven integration, you can refer to the detailed guide on how to delegate build and run actions to Maven in IntelliJ IDEA. With Maven, you can scale your projects efficiently, manage dependencies, and automate builds, making it an invaluable tool for any Java developer.

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