Module 1: Command-line and IDE Basics

Command Line Essentials

The command line is a text-based interface to interact with your computer. Different operating systems offer different terminal options:

• MacOS: Terminal (Bash, Zsh)
• Windows: Command Prompt, Git Bash, PowerShell

Basic Navigation Commands

• pwd - Shows current working directory (Print Working Directory)
• ls - Lists current contents of working directory
  • dir on Windows Command Prompt
  • ls -a displays all contents including hidden files
• cd - Change directory
  • cd .. moves one directory up
  • cd ~ moves directly to home directory
• clear - Clear the screen
  • cls on Windows
  • Command-K shortcut on MacOS

Working with Directories and Files

• mkdir - Create a directory
• touch - Creates a file
  • echo > filename for Windows Command Prompt
• vim - Opens a file with vim (will create if the file does not exist)
• rm - Remove a file
  • del on Windows Command Prompt
  • rm -r for directories and everything inside

Example Command Sequence

Here's an example of creating a simple Java project from the command line:

mkdir MyJavaProject
cd MyJavaProject
mkdir src
touch src/HelloWorld.java
# Now edit HelloWorld.java with an editor or IDE

IntelliJ IDEA Basics

IntelliJ IDEA is a powerful IDE (Integrated Development Environment) that provides tools to help you write, test, and debug your Java code efficiently.

Key Features

• Project Structure: Organizes your code in a hierarchical structure
• Code Completion: Suggests code as you type
• Refactoring Tools: Helps restructure existing code safely
• Debugging: Set breakpoints, inspect variables, and step through code
• Version Control Integration: Work with Git directly from the IDE

Useful Keyboard Shortcuts

• Ctrl+Space or Cmd+Space: Code completion
• Alt+Enter or Option+Enter: Show intention actions/quick fixes
• Shift+F10 or Ctrl+R: Run current configuration
• Ctrl+/ or Cmd+/: Comment/uncomment current line
• Ctrl+D or Cmd+D: Duplicate current line

Edit-Build-Test Cycle

A typical workflow in IntelliJ involves:

1. Edit: Write or modify your code
2. Build: Compile your code (often automatic in IntelliJ)
3. Test: Run your application or unit tests to verify functionality
4. Debug: If issues arise, use the debugger to identify and fix problems

Gradle Test Project

This guided project will walk you through:

• Setting up a Java project using Gradle as a build tool
• Running and interpreting tests from the command line and IDE
• Understanding the project structure in a real-world development scenario
• Using basic Git commands to manage your code changes

By following along, you'll gain practical experience with the complete edit-build-test cycle that professional developers use daily.