JGRASP is an Integrated Development Environment (IDE) that provides visualizations for enhancing the understandability of your product. JGRASP accomplishes this by creating runtime static visualizations of the data structures and source code organization.
Programmers are fully aware that the software they use to create their projects is a crucial component of their work. A bulky and heavy IDE (Integrated Development Environment) would hinder their progress, but a lean and quick one will help them finish their projects on schedule.
One of the lightweight ones, JGRASP, was created to make it easier to create software visualizations to increase app comprehension.
JGRASP is a lightweight and easy-to-use integrated development environment (IDE) for Java programmers. It was created by James Gosling, the inventor of the Java programming language. JGRASP provides various tools and features to make the development process faster and more efficient.
What is JGRASP?
jGRASP is a lightweight development environment, created specifically to provide automatic generation of software visualizations to improve the comprehensibility of software. jGRASP is implemented in Java and runs on all platforms with a Java Virtual Machine (Java version 1.8 or higher).
jGRASP produces Control Structure Diagrams (CSDs) for Java, C, C++, Objective-C, Python, Ada, and VHDL; Complexity Profile Graphs (CPGs) for Java and Ada; UML class diagrams for Java; and has dynamic object viewers and a viewer canvas that works in conjunction with an integrated debugger and workbench for Java.
The viewers include a data structure identifier mechanism that recognizes objects that represent traditional data structures such as stacks, queues, linked lists, binary trees, and hash tables, and then displays them in an intuitive textbook-like presentation view.
How to Download and Install jGRASP on Your PC for Free?
Note: To be able to install and run jGRASP, you’ll need to download and install both the Java Development Kit (with Java 8 or higher) and jGRASP. Alternatively, you can just download and install the jGRASP version that is bundled with OpenJDK as I did in this review.
It is fairly easy to download and install JGRASP on your computer. The installation process is straightforward and can be completed in just a few steps. Here’s how to download and install JGRASP on Windows 10 computer:
- Follow the given link and navigate to the Downloads page.
- Click on the “Download Now” button to download the JGRASP installer.
- Once the download is complete, double-click on the installer to start the installation process.
- Follow the prompts in the installation wizard to complete the installation. You may be asked to choose a location to install JGRASP and accept the license agreement’s terms and conditions.
After you install JGRASP, you can start using it to create and edit Java programs. The software comes with many built-in features like JGRASP automatic indentation, syntax highlighting, and code folding for the ease of the user. It also includes a JGRASP debugger to help you find and fix errors in your code.
How to uninstall jGRASP from your PC?
If you are no longer interested in using jGRASP, simply follow the guide below to uninstall the application from your PC:
- Type “Add or Remove Programs” in the Windows Search bar and hit the Enter button.
- Search for jGRASP on the list of installed applications, then click the “Uninstall” button.
- Once the uninstallation wizard opens, confirm that you want to uninstall jGRASP and the software will be removed from your computer.
One of the most significant advantages of JGRASP is its user-friendly interface. It is designed to be easy to use, even for beginners. The program provides a comprehensive set of tools that simplify creating and testing Java programs. JGRASP lets you quickly create, edit, and test your code.
Another significant advantage of JGRASP is that it is free to download and use. The JGRASP download is available for Windows 10 and other operating systems. It is also a portable version, allowing you to run JGRASP from a USB drive without installing it on your computer.
Free Alternatives to jGRASP
Eclipse: Eclipse is a commonly used development platform with a base workspace and extensible plugin system, plus runtimes and application frameworks that allow you to build, deploy, and manage software development.
IntelliJ IDEA: IntelliJ IDEA is an integrated development environment (IDE) written in Java for developing computer software. It is a commonly used IDE among software developers.
Qt Creator: Qt Creator is a reliable alternative to jGRASP. It is a cross-platform C++, JavaScript, and QML IDE. Qt Creator helps to simplify GUI application development.