Work with Groovy code in the editor

Access the live templates settings

1. Press Ctrl+Alt+S to open settings and then select Editor | Live Templates.

2. In the list of options, click Groovy node and check the list of provided live templates.

   You can check an abbreviation, description, and a code sample for the template.

   

1. Press Ctrl+Alt+S to open settings and then select Editor | Inspections.

2. In the list of options, click the Groovy node, locate the intention you need and make the adjustments.

   

3. Alternatively, while in the editor, when you press Alt+Enter to select an intention action from the context menu, press the arrow key next to it to select an option to edit its settings or disable the intention.

   

Strings in Groovy

With the Show intentions Alt+Enter action you can select different intentions for strings such as changing single line into a multiline, add concatenation, convert a literal string into a GString, and so on.

• Convert to multiline: converts a single long line into a multiline. You can break down the line without adding any concatenation. It is helpful for copying and pasting code.

  

• Convert into Singleline literal: converts a multiline back into a single long line. In this case, escape sequences /n are added. You can continue and select the Break string on /n action to split the line adding the concatenation.

  

• Convert to String and Convert to GString: convert a GString into a regular String and vice versa.

  

Declare explicit type in Groovy

Among standard declarations, such as creating a field for parameter, or introducing a local variable to a result of expression, IntelliJ IDEA lets you declare an explicit type for the selected variable. Adding explicit declarations, makes code in large projects more readable and sustainable.

• In the editor, press Alt+Enter on the selected variable and from the list of intentions, select Declare explicit type. To remove it, use the Remove explicit type action.

  

Add explicit types to parameters

You can add explicit types for all the parameters in a method declaration for Groovy methods where the types of the parameters are not explicitly defined.

1. In the editor, place the caret at the parameters you need and press Alt+Enter.

2. From the context menu, select the Add explicit types to parameters.

   

Convert to @CompileStatic

Since Groovy code is compiled dynamically by default, IntelliJ IDEA lets you use the @CompileStatic annotation to switch to static compilation whenever this annotation is used.

1. In the editor you can automatically add the @CompileStatic annotation. From the context menu, select Refactor | Convert to @CompileStatic.

   

   IntelliJ IDEA makes the following adjustments to code:

   • The @CompileDynamic annotation is added to methods that depend on dynamic language features and which could not be automatically converted.

   • An explicit type coercion is added when it’s required.

   • An explicit type is added to fields when they can be inferred from field initializers.

   • An explicit return type is added to methods.

2. If you added the @CompileStatic annotation manually and want to fix the related red code, invoke the Convert to @CompileStatic intention action.

   

Change an anonymous class into a dynamic instantiation

You can convert an anonymous class into a closure for better readability.

1. In the editor, select a class you want to convert and press Alt+Enter.

2. From the list of options, select Change to dynamic instantiation.

   

Add annotation

1. In the editor, place the caret at the type for which you want to create an annotation and specify its name.

2. Press Alt+Enter and select Create annotation 'name'.