Before we start building Spring Boot applications, we need to set up a proper development environment.
This includes installing:

• Java Development Kit (JDK)
• Maven (or Gradle)
• An IDE such as STS, Eclipse, or IntelliJ IDEA

This post walks you through the installation and configuration step-by-step so you are fully ready to write, build, and run Spring Boot applications.

---

1. Install Java (JDK)

Spring Boot requires Java 8 or higher, but Java 17+ is recommended.

1.1 Download JDK

Download from any of these official sources:

• Oracle JDK:
  https://www.oracle.com/java/technologies/downloads/
• OpenJDK (Free):
  https://adoptium.net
• Amazon Corretto:
  https://aws.amazon.com/corretto/

1.2 Verify Installation

After installation, verify using:

java -version

Expected output example:

java version "17.0.9" 2025-01-01 LTS

If you see the version, Java is successfully installed.

---

2. Install Maven

Maven is the most commonly used build tool in Spring Boot.

2.1 Download Maven

Download from:
https://maven.apache.org/download.cgi

Extract the archive and place it in a directory like:

• Windows: C:\Program Files\Apache Maven
• macOS/Linux: /usr/local/apache-maven

2.2 Set Environment Variables

On macOS/Linux:

Add to ~/.bashrc, ~/.zshrc, or equivalent:

export M2_HOME=/usr/local/apache-maven
export PATH=$PATH:$M2_HOME/bin

On Windows:

Add to System Environment Variables:

• M2_HOME
• PATH → append Maven's bin directory

2.3 Verify Maven

mvn -version

Expected output:

Apache Maven 3.9.x
Java version: 17

---

3. Choose & Install Your IDE

Spring Boot can be developed in multiple IDEs. Let's cover the most popular ones.

---

3.1 Spring Tool Suite (STS)

STS is Spring's official IDE — preconfigured for Spring development.

Download:

https://spring.io/tools

Features:

• Built-in Spring Initializer
• Autoconfigured Spring tooling
• Ready-to-use environment
• Best for beginners

---

3.2 Eclipse IDE

Eclipse is powerful and extremely customizable.

Download:

https://eclipse.org/downloads

For Spring Boot:

Install Spring Tools plugin from Eclipse Marketplace.

Steps:

1. Open Eclipse
2. Go to Help → Eclipse Marketplace
3. Search: Spring Tools 4
4. Install

---

3.3 IntelliJ IDEA

The most popular Java IDE today.

Download:

https://www.jetbrains.com/idea/download/

Versions:

• Community Edition (Free) → Supports Spring Boot basics
• Ultimate Edition (Paid) → Full Spring Boot, JPA, PostgreSQL, MySQL, etc.

Features:

• Best performance
• Smart code completion
• Refactorings
• Integrated tools (Git, Docker, DB viewer)
• Easiest debugging experience

---

4. Configure Your IDE for Spring Boot

Regardless of the IDE you choose:

4.1 Install Lombok Plugin (Important)

Spring Boot projects often use Lombok annotations like:

• @Getter
• @Setter
• @Builder

To install:

• STS/Eclipse → Install Lombok.jar
• IntelliJ → Settings → Plugins → Search “Lombok” → Install

4.2 Enable Annotation Processing

In IntelliJ:

Settings → Build, Execution, Deployment → Compiler → Annotation Processors → Enable

---

5. Install Git (Optional but Recommended)

Download:
https://git-scm.com

Verify:

git --version

Git helps you:

• Track changes
• Manage versions
• Push your Spring Boot project to GitHub

---

6. Verify Everything with a Quick Spring Boot Test

Now that Java + Maven + IDE are installed:

Step 1: Create a new project using Spring Initializer

Visit:
https://start.spring.io

Step 2: Select:

• Project: Maven
• Language: Java
• Spring Boot version: 3.x
• Dependencies: Spring Web

Step 3: Generate & Import the project into your IDE

Step 4: Run:

mvn spring-boot:run

Or click Run Application in your IDE.

If the server starts on port 8080, you’re ready!

---

What's Next?

In the next post:

05 - Running Your First Spring Boot Application

We'll run a real Spring Boot project and see how the application lifecycle works.