Explore the best IDE and editor options for Clojure development, including Emacs with CIDER, IntelliJ IDEA with Cursive, VSCode with Calva, and Atom with Chlorine. Learn how to set up each environment and leverage their features for efficient Clojure programming.
As a Java professional transitioning to Clojure, selecting the right Integrated Development Environment (IDE) or text editor is crucial for a smooth development experience. Clojure, being a Lisp dialect, offers unique challenges and opportunities that are best addressed with tools that provide robust support for its dynamic and functional nature. In this section, we will explore some of the most popular IDEs and editors for Clojure development: Emacs with CIDER, IntelliJ IDEA with Cursive, Visual Studio Code with Calva, and Atom with Chlorine. We will provide setup instructions, highlight key features, and offer insights into optimizing your development workflow.
Emacs is a powerful, extensible text editor that has been a favorite among Lisp programmers for decades. When paired with CIDER (Clojure Interactive Development Environment that Rocks), Emacs becomes a formidable tool for Clojure development.
To get started with Emacs and CIDER, follow these steps:
Install Emacs: Download and install Emacs from GNU Emacs. Ensure you have the latest version for optimal performance and features.
Install CIDER: CIDER is available as a package in the Emacs package manager (MELPA). Add MELPA to your Emacs configuration by adding the following lines to your .emacs
or init.el
file:
(require 'package)
(add-to-list 'package-archives
'("melpa" . "https://melpa.org/packages/") t)
(package-initialize)
Then, install CIDER by running M-x package-refresh-contents
followed by M-x package-install RET cider RET
.
Configure CIDER: Add the following configuration to your .emacs
or init.el
file to enhance your CIDER experience:
(setq cider-repl-pop-to-buffer-on-connect t)
(setq cider-show-error-buffer t)
(setq cider-auto-select-error-buffer t)
(setq cider-repl-history-file "~/.emacs.d/cider-history")
company-mode
for autocompletion and flycheck
for on-the-fly syntax checking.IntelliJ IDEA is a popular IDE among Java developers, known for its powerful features and robust ecosystem. Cursive is a Clojure plugin for IntelliJ IDEA that brings the same level of sophistication to Clojure development.
Install IntelliJ IDEA: Download and install IntelliJ IDEA from JetBrains. The Community edition is sufficient for most Clojure projects.
Install Cursive: Open IntelliJ IDEA, navigate to File > Settings > Plugins
, and search for “Cursive”. Install the plugin and restart the IDE.
Create a Clojure Project: Use the Cursive plugin to create a new Clojure project. Cursive supports both Leiningen and deps.edn projects, making it versatile for different build tools.
Visual Studio Code (VSCode) is a lightweight, open-source editor that has gained popularity for its versatility and extensive plugin ecosystem. Calva is a VSCode extension that provides Clojure support.
Install Visual Studio Code: Download and install VSCode from Visual Studio Code.
Install Calva: Open VSCode, go to the Extensions view (Ctrl+Shift+X
), and search for “Calva”. Install the extension and reload the editor.
Configure Calva: Calva requires a running REPL to function. Start a REPL using Leiningen or deps.edn, then connect Calva by running the Calva: Connect
command.
Bracket Pair Colorizer
for better code readability and Prettier
for code formatting.Atom is a hackable text editor developed by GitHub, known for its flexibility and community-driven development. Chlorine is a Clojure plugin for Atom that provides essential features for Clojure development.
Install Atom: Download and install Atom from Atom.
Install Chlorine: Open Atom, go to File > Settings > Install
, and search for “Chlorine”. Install the package and restart Atom.
Configure Chlorine: Start a Clojure REPL using your preferred method (e.g., Leiningen, deps.edn) and connect Chlorine by running the Chlorine: Connect
command.
linter
for syntax checking and autocomplete-plus
for improved autocompletion.Choosing the right IDE or editor for Clojure development depends on your personal preferences and workflow requirements. Emacs with CIDER, IntelliJ IDEA with Cursive, Visual Studio Code with Calva, and Atom with Chlorine each offer unique strengths and capabilities. By setting up your environment effectively and leveraging the features of these tools, you can enhance your productivity and enjoy a seamless Clojure development experience. Whether you prefer the extensibility of Emacs, the sophistication of IntelliJ IDEA, the versatility of VSCode, or the hackability of Atom, there is an option that will suit your needs as you embark on your Clojure journey.