Tips for using Vim as a Java IDE?

Question

I'm addicted to Vim, it's now my de facto way of editing text files.

Being that it's mainly a text editor and not an IDE, has anyone got tricks for me to make it easier when developing Java apps?

Some questions I have:

• How do I invoke a maven task without leaving vi?
• Can I get code completion?
• How's the syntax highlighting?

Anything else (other than "Don't do it!") that I should know about?

Answer 1

Some tips:

• Make sure you use vim (vi improved). Linux and some versions of UNIX symlink vi to vim.
• You can get code completion with eclim
• Or you can get vi functionality within Eclipse with viPlugin
• Syntax highlighting is great with vim
• Vim has good support for writing little macros like running ant/maven builds

Have fun :-)