So, what are the essential tools that Java developers who embrace the open-source mindset are using today? Well, the list looks something like this:

• Github - collaborative development framework
• Maven - build system 
• Eclipse - General IDE
• IntelliJ - Java specific IDE
• TortoiseSVN - version control system
• JEdit - programmers text editor
• VisualVM - monitoring and profiling tool
• YourKit - profiling tool for performance and scalability

The Tomcat Expert site has a neat little article explaining why these Java tools should be on every developers computer. Full article here.

http://www.tomcatexpert.com/blog/2010/06/01/8-essential-tomcat-development-tools

Edited by: Cameron McKenzie on Jun 4, 2010 2:02 PM

Shouldn't VIM / Emacs be on this list as a programmer's text editor??

+1, I've never used jedit, but I use vim regularly. Also, I noticed that no testing frameworks are mentioned. I guess Tomcat experts are so good that they do not need to test their code :p

I have used most of these tools but comparatively to text editor, I have used Edit Plus its a powerful search tool. But the Framework tool Github tool is very new to me. thanks guys positing this top 8 essential tools