How to install IntelliJ Idea Ultimate in Ubuntu 20.04

Introduction

IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate is one of the most popular integrated development environments (IDEs) for Java and other languages. Designed by JetBrains, it offers a plethora of features that enhance productivity, support coding best practices, and integrate seamlessly with various frameworks and tools. For Ubuntu users, installing IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate offers a robust platform for development without the constraints of a Windows or macOS environment.

This guide will walk you through the installation process of IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate on Ubuntu 20.04, providing detailed steps, tips, and alternatives to help you set up a powerful development environment.

Prerequisites

Before diving into the installation, ensure you have the following:

1. Ubuntu 20.04 OS: This guide specifically addresses users of Ubuntu 20.04. If you’re using a different version, some steps may vary.
2. Java Development Kit (JDK): IntelliJ IDEA is developed in Java, so you will need the JDK installed on your machine. You can use OpenJDK or Oracle JDK.
3. Sufficient Disk Space: Ensure you have enough space, as the installation will require around 1GB, depending on the additional plugins and configurations you choose.

Installing the Java Development Kit (JDK)

Step 1: Update Package Index

Before installing any new software, it’s a good practice to update your package index to ensure you’re getting the latest versions of software.

bash
sudo apt update

Step 2: Install JDK

You can install OpenJDK 11, which is commonly recommended for IntelliJ IDEA. Execute the following command:

bash
sudo apt install openjdk-11-jdk

To verify your installation, check the version of JDK by running:

bash
java -version

You should see an output indicating that JDK 11 is installed.

Downloading IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate

Now that you have the JDK installed, the next step is to download the IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate package.

Step 1: Visit the JetBrains Website

Navigate to the official JetBrains website to download the IDE. You will find several IntelliJ IDEA editions, but make sure to choose Ultimate.

Download IntelliJ IDEA

Step 2: Choose the Right Format

Select the Linux version for download. You’ll typically find a .tar.gz file for manual installation. The download file is usually named something like ideaIU-<version>.tar.gz.

Installing IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate

Step 1: Extract the Downloaded Archive

After downloading, navigate to your Downloads folder or wherever you saved the file. Use the following command to extract the contents:

bash
cd ~/Downloads
tar -xzf ideaIU-*.tar.gz

This will create a new directory named idea-IU-<version>.

Step 2: Move to the Installation Directory

For easy access, it’s a good practice to move the IntelliJ IDEA directory to the /opt folder.

bash
sudo mv idea-IU-* /opt/idea

Step 3: Start IntelliJ IDEA

To start IntelliJ IDEA, navigate to the bin directory:

bash
cd /opt/idea/bin
./idea.sh

Creating a Desktop Entry

Running IntelliJ IDEA through the terminal is fine, but creating a desktop entry makes it easily accessible from your application launcher.

Step 1: Create the Desktop Entry File

You can create a desktop entry file in the ~/.local/share/applications directory. Use your preferred text editor to create the file:

bash
nano ~/.local/share/applications/jetbrains-idea.desktop

Step 2: Insert the Following Content

Copy and paste the following configuration into the file:

plaintext
[Desktop Entry]
Version=1.0
Type=Application
Name=IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate
Icon=/opt/idea/bin/idea.png
Exec=”/opt/idea/bin/idea.sh” %f
Comment=Capable and Ergonomic IDE for your JDK
Categories=Development;IDE;
Terminal=false
StartupWMClass=jetbrains-idea

Step 3: Save and Exit

Press CTRL + X, then Y and Enter to save the file. Now, you can find IntelliJ IDEA in your application launcher.

Initial Configuration and Setup

Step 1: Start IntelliJ IDEA

Launch IntelliJ IDEA via your application launcher. The first time you start the program, some initial work is required.

Step 2: Import Settings

You may have an existing version of IntelliJ or wish to import settings from another installation. Choose whether to import from a previous version or to start fresh.

Step 3: Configure the Environment

Follow the on-screen prompts to set up your environment. You can choose default themes, plugins, and languages.

Common Troubleshooting Tips

While the installation process is usually smooth, users may encounter some common issues. Below are a few troubleshooting steps:

• Java Not Found: If you see an error relating to Java not being found, make sure you’ve installed the JDK and that your JAVA_HOME variable is set correctly.
• Missing Dependencies: Occasionally, IDEs may require additional dependencies. Read the terminal output for any missing libraries that you may need to install.
• performance issues: If IntelliJ IDEA runs slowly, consider increasing the IDE’s memory settings. Open idea.vmoptions in the bin directory and adjust the values for heap size (-Xms and -Xmx).

Conclusion

Installing IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate on Ubuntu 20.04 is an efficient way to set up a professional development environment for Java and other languages. By following this guide, you now have a powerful IDE that enhances your programming experience. With its rich features, intelligent code completion, and excellent debugging capabilities, IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate is a valuable tool for developers of all skill levels.

FAQ Section

1. Can I use IntelliJ IDEA on other Linux distributions?

Yes, IntelliJ IDEA can be installed on various Linux distributions like Fedora, Arch Linux, and others. The installation steps are mostly similar, especially when using the .tar.gz file.

2. Do I need to purchase a license for IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate?

IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate is a paid product, but JetBrains offers a free 30-day trial for new users. Educational institutions and students may also qualify for free licenses.

3. How do I uninstall IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate?

To uninstall IntelliJ IDEA, simply remove the installation directory you created under /opt and delete the desktop entry file you created:

bash
sudo rm -rf /opt/idea
rm ~/.local/share/applications/jetbrains-idea.desktop

4. What is the difference between Community and Ultimate editions?

The Community edition is free and is suitable for basic Java development. The Ultimate edition, however, includes additional features suited for web, enterprise, and mobile development, as well as support for various frameworks.

5. Can I install plugins in IntelliJ IDEA?

Yes, IntelliJ IDEA supports a wide variety of plugins to enhance functionality. You can search for and install plugins directly from the IDE under the ‘Plugins’ section.

6. What if IntelliJ IDEA crashes on startup?

If IntelliJ IDEA crashes on startup, try starting it in safe mode to disable all plugins. You can usually do this by holding the Shift key while starting the IDE. This allows you to troubleshoot or disable problematic plugins if necessary.