Cross-platform Development with IntelliJ IDEA — A Quick Guide

Alexander Obregon

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Jun 7, 2023

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Introduction

Developing applications that run efficiently across multiple platforms is one of the significant challenges that developers often face. A vast array of tools and frameworks has been developed to assist in this process, and among these, IntelliJ IDEA stands out. IntelliJ IDEA, a product of JetBrains, is an innovative Integrated Development Environment (IDE) primed for JVM languages like Java, Kotlin, and Scala, and also supports a multitude of other programming languages. This article will provide a guide to using IntelliJ IDEA for cross-platform development.

Why IntelliJ IDEA?

IntelliJ IDEA offers a suite of features that make it a preferred choice for many developers. Among its many benefits, a few prominent ones are smart code completion, on-the-fly code analysis, an extensive array of refactoring tools, and tight integration with numerous build tools and frameworks.

Setup and Installation

To begin using IntelliJ IDEA, you’ll first need to install it on your machine. Visit the JetBrains website and download the latest version of IntelliJ IDEA. Choose between the Ultimate (paid) and Community (free) versions depending on your needs. Once downloaded, install the application following the guided setup process.

After successful installation, open IntelliJ IDEA, and it’s ready for you to create your first project.

Creating a New Project

Click File > New > Project and select the type of project you want to create. For our example, we'll create a simple Java application. You'll be prompted to provide the project's SDK (Software Development Kit). If the SDK is not available, download and configure it.

public class HelloWorld {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        System.out.println("Hello, world!");
    }
}

This simple Java application will run on any platform that supports Java, showcasing IntelliJ IDEA’s potential for cross-platform development.

Plugin Ecosystem

One of IntelliJ IDEA’s key strengths is its extensive plugin ecosystem. These plugins add various functionalities and support for other languages or tools. For instance, if you’re working on a Python project, install the Python plugin. Click File > Settings > Plugins, search for the desired plugin in the marketplace tab, install it, and restart IntelliJ IDEA.

Code Analysis and Debugging

IntelliJ IDEA has strong built-in tools for code analysis and debugging. For example, it can detect potential bugs, suggest fixes, and even automate some refactorings.

To use the debugging tool, you simply need to set breakpoints in your code and then click on the bug-like icon in the toolbar. This initiates the debugger and the program will pause at the breakpoints, allowing you to inspect variable values and the execution flow.

Build Tools and Version Control Integration

IntelliJ IDEA integrates seamlessly with various build tools like Maven, Gradle, and Ant, enhancing the developer’s workflow. Importing projects using these build tools is as simple as opening the build file (pom.xml for Maven, build.gradle for Gradle).

Moreover, IntelliJ IDEA provides out-of-the-box support for version control systems like Git, Mercurial, and SVN. You can perform all common version control operations right from the IDE without resorting to command-line operations.

Cross-Platform Development: Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile (KMM)

Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile (KMM) is a unique technology for cross-platform mobile app development. It allows you to use a single codebase for the business logic of iOS and Android apps, reducing time and resources. And the best part? IntelliJ IDEA fully supports KMM.

Let’s take a look at how to create a basic KMM project in IntelliJ IDEA:

1. First, install the KMM plugin in IntelliJ IDEA.
2. Click File > New > Project and select Kotlin > Mobile Android/iOS | Gradle.
3. After the project is set up, you will notice two main directories: shared and androidApp. The shared directory is where you'll write common code that is shared between iOS and Android, and androidApp is where the Android-specific code goes.

// In shared/src/commonMain/kotlin/sample/Sample.kt
package sample

expect class Sample() {
    fun checkMe(): Int
}

// In shared/src/androidMain/kotlin/sample/Sample.kt
package sample

actual class Sample {
    actual fun checkMe() = 42
}

// In shared/src/iosMain/kotlin/sample/Sample.kt
package sample

actual class Sample {
    actual fun checkMe() = 7
}

In this example, the checkMe() function will return a different value depending on the platform the code is running on, showing the potential for creating truly platform-specific functionality with KMM.

Conclusion

IntelliJ IDEA is a powerhouse of an IDE that can significantly enhance productivity in cross-platform development. With its extensive feature set, vast plugin ecosystem, and superb integration with various build tools and version control systems, it simplifies the development process, making it a preferred choice for many developers worldwide. The support for Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile further cements its place as a great tool for cross-platform development. So, don’t wait up — dive into the world of IntelliJ IDEA and elevate your cross-platform development game.

1. IntelliJ IDEA Official Website
2. IntelliJ IDEA Documentation
3. IntelliJ IDEA Plugins Repository