Greenfoot vs Java-Editor
Greenfoot
greenfoot.org
Java-Editor
javaeditor.orgSide by side
| Figure | Greenfoot | Java-Editor |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Java IDEs | 8.0 (#8) | 8.5 (#3) |
| Headquarters | Canterbury, United Kingdom | Mainz, Germany |
| Privacy | The site says it does not pass email addresses or other user data to third parties or use them for purposes other than operating the website. | The website is hosted by IONOS, records access-log data, automatically deletes full IP addresses after seven days, and uses only technically necessary session cookies. |
| Purpose | Greenfoot is educational software designed to make learning programming easy and fun. | Java-Editor is an integrated Java development environment designed for school teaching and home use on lower-specification computers. |
| Support | Technical support handles installation and operation problems by email; programming questions should go to the discussions area. | Bug reports and feature requests are invited by email to [email protected]. |
Plans
In their own words
Greenfoot
Greenfoot is educational software for learning object-oriented programming with standard Java code. Learners build games, simulations, and other graphical programs by placing actors in worlds. The programming environment combines visualization and interaction tools with an IDE that includes project management, auto-completion, and syntax highlighting. Projects can be published online for others to play and comment on, and sharing is built into the environment. Greenfoot runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux; downloads cover Windows 10 and 11, macOS 11 and later, Ubuntu with Debian support, and a generic option for systems with JDK and JavaFX. From version 3.6.0, Intel/AMD systems need a 64-bit CPU and operating system; version 3.5.4 is the listed option for 32-bit support. The software is free, and its IDE source code is available under the GNU General Public Licence version 2 with classpath exception. Learning resources include written and video tutorials for beginners and advanced users, along with the Greenroom instructor community.
Java-Editor
Java-Editor is a Java development environment intended for teaching and home use on lower-specification computers. Its class modeler reads source files, presents classes with their attributes and methods, and transfers model edits back into source. A UML window supports interactive object creation and method or attribute testing without a main method. The GUI designer works with AWT, Swing and JavaFX components and synchronizes form changes with code. Students can make control-flow diagrams in the structogram editor, generate programs or methods, and use puzzle mode. Debugging includes breakpoints, stepwise execution, watch expressions, local variables, parameters and call-stack information. Installing Git or Subversion adds corresponding menus, while JUnit adds its own menu. LLM assistance supports OpenAI and Gemini cloud models and local models through Ollama. The program requires a Java Development Kit; JavaFX must be installed separately for JDK 11 and later. It is free for personal, commercial and government use. Classroom versions support portable USB installations, INI configuration and network-folder deployment.