Getting Started

Groovy is a powerful language with features that make it particularly useful for tasks related to scripting, building web applications, and processing data. It's both a static and dynamic language, runs on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), and integrates seamlessly with Java and other JVM languages. Here’s a basic tutorial to get you started:

Setting Up Groovy

1. Install Java: Groovy runs on the JVM, so you need to have Java installed. Aim for Java 8 or newer.
2. Install Groovy: You can download Groovy from its official website or use a package manager. On Windows, you might use Chocolatey (choco install groovy), and on macOS, Homebrew (brew install groovy) is a common choice.

Groovy Basics

• Groovy Shell: After installing, you can experiment with Groovy commands in the Groovy Shell. Just type groovysh in your terminal.
• Groovy Scripts: You can write Groovy scripts using any text editor. Save the file with a .groovy extension and run it from the command line using groovy filename.groovy.

Example: Hello World

1. Create a file named HelloWorld.groovy.
2. Add the following code:

println 'Hello World'

1. Run it using groovy HelloWorld.groovy.

IntelliJ

Getting started with Groovy in IntelliJ IDEA is a straightforward process, thanks to IntelliJ's robust support for Groovy and the Grails framework. IntelliJ IDEA is one of the most popular Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) used for Groovy development due to its comprehensive features and integrations. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you set up and start writing Groovy code in IntelliJ IDEA.

Step 1: Install IntelliJ IDEA

First, you need to download and install IntelliJ IDEA. Although the Ultimate version has additional features and better support for web development frameworks like Grails, the Community Edition is free and sufficient for basic Groovy programming.

1. Download IntelliJ IDEA from JetBrains' official website.
2. Follow the installation instructions specific to your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux).

Step 2: Install the Groovy Plugin

IntelliJ IDEA comes with built-in support for Groovy, but you might need to enable or update the plugin:

1. Open IntelliJ IDEA.
2. Go to File > Settings (or IntelliJ IDEA > Preferences on macOS).
3. Navigate to Plugins.
4. Search for “Groovy” in the marketplace and install or enable the plugin if it isn't already.

Step 3: Create a New Project

Once the plugin is set up, you can start a new Groovy project:

1. Open IntelliJ IDEA and select Create New Project.
2. From the left panel, choose Groovy.
3. Specify the project SDK (you may need to download a Java SDK if one isn’t set up). Groovy requires Java, so ensure you have a Java Development Kit (JDK) installed. You can download and install one directly from the New Project window.
4. Configure the Groovy library. If Groovy isn't installed on your system, IntelliJ can download it for you. Just select “Download” from the Library dropdown.
5. Click Next, give your project a name, and choose a location to save it.
6. Click Finish to create your project.

Step 4: Write Your First Groovy Script

1. Right-click on the src folder in your project.
2. Select New > Groovy Class. Although you're creating a script, IntelliJ organizes everything as classes.
3. Name your script (e.g., HelloWorld) and press Enter.
4. In the newly created file, write your first Groovy script:

   println 'Hello, World!'

Step 5: Run Your Script

1. Right-click anywhere in your script file in the editor.
2. Click Run 'HelloWorld.main()'.
3. The output should appear in the Run window at the bottom of the IDE, showing "Hello, World!".