System.out.println() shortcut on Intellij IDEA

java

debugging

live-templates

shortcuts

byAnton Shumikhin·Dec 26, 2024

To generate a quick **System.out.println()** in IntelliJ IDEA, type **sout** and press **Tab**.

For those accustomed to Eclipse's syso, don't fret! IntelliJ IDEA provides customizable live templates to shape your coding experience.

The art of `sout` and its siblings

Different flavors of print can save your time

In IntelliJ IDEA, sout is more than a simple System.out.println(). It has siblings making debugging and developing more efficient:

**soutm** gives you System.out.println() of the current class and method—your detective to trace method calls.
**soutp** elegantly lists out parameters of the method, including their names and values.
**soutv** is your ninja hiding in the shadows which inserts the last variable's value into the print statement.

Customization of live templates: make it your own

IntelliJ IDEA empowers you to create your own live template, keeping your coding on-brand! If you loved syso in Eclipse, you could set it up here by going to Live Template settings, and syso can print the good old System.out.println() for you.

Make it happen. Hit Tab!

Don't forget the **Tab** key! It’s the final flourish that transforms your shortcut into a fully-formed statement.

Advanced practices with shortcuts

Consistent code style: shorthand for professionalism

Live templates—IntelliJ IDEA's version of shortcuts—do more than speed up your coding. They ensure consistent formatting matching your team's or personal coding style. They’re like those fancy dress code standards, but for codes.

Personal code snippets: be the fortune teller

Think about what kind of debugging you generally do or elements you frequently code. Go on, be a fortune teller. Then make a tailor-made live template for it. Presto! No more hunting down that piece of code you always seem to need.

Lightweight debugging: no more heavy lifting

With the power of these live templates, you can insert logs quickly and practically on the fly. No need for those annoying breakpoints or stepping through code lines one by one. It’s as if you own the debugging gym!