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đź’ˇ Speed Up Java Development with Auto-Generated Javadoc in IntelliJ IDEA

#webdev #programming #beginners

As programmers, we know how important it is to document our code properly—especially using Javadoc. But let's be honest: writing detailed comments every time we create a new class or method can be tedious and time-consuming.

If you're using IntelliJ IDEA, there's a convenient way to automate this without installing any third-party plugins. This post is a quick reference to help streamline your environment setup across machines and save time during development.

🧩 Auto-Generate Class and Interface Javadoc

To automatically insert Javadoc when creating a new class or interface:

  1. Navigate to: File → Settings → Editor → File and Code Templates → Files → Class
  2. Replace the default template with the following content: 
/** * @ClassName ${NAME} * @Description TODO * @Author ${USER} * @Date ${DATE} ${TIME} * @Version 1.0 */ public class ${NAME} { }
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Now, every time you create a new class or interface, this Javadoc block will be generated automatically. 🚀

⚙️ Auto-Generate Method Javadoc with Live Templates

To generate Javadoc for methods quickly:

  1. Go to: File → Settings → Editor → Live Templates
  2. Click the + icon on the right → Select Template Group... → Create a new group (e.g., JavaDoc)
  3. Select the new group → Click + again → Choose Live Template
  4. Set Abbreviation to * (or any shortcut you like)
  5. Add the following to the Template Text: 
* * @Author $user$ * @Description //TODO * @Date $date$ $time$ * @Param $param$ * @return $return$ **/
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  1. Click Define at the bottom → Select Java to restrict the template to Java files
  2. Click Edit variables and configure them as needed (you can refer to the IntelliJ IDEA documentation or use defaults)

Once configured, you can type:

/**
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Then press Tab, and IntelliJ will expand it into a Javadoc template like this:
Image description

That’s it! You’ve now got a fast, repeatable way to generate documentation without slowing down your flow.

đź“ť Final Thoughts

This configuration is a small investment of time that pays off with improved productivity and consistency in your codebase. It’s especially handy when switching environments or setting up a new workspace.

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