Customizing IDEA - IntelliJ IDEA in Action - page 456

IDEA attempts to minimize this boilerplate work with the concept of file tem-
plates. File templates define a starting point for new files, Java or otherwise.
When you create a new file from within the Project window, IDEA looks up and
presents you with a set of templates that can be created in that context. For
example, if you try to create a new file in a package in a Java source tree, IDEA
asks if you want to create a new Java class, Java interface, or Singleton, among
others. Choosing one of these options invokes its associated file template, which
includes a basic framework for the type of file you're creating. Using this strat-
egy, you can start with your file's basic framework already defined, rather than
with a blank document.

12.6.1 Creating a new file from a template

In the Project window, right-click the folder where you want to create the new file.
From the context menu, select an entry from the New submenu to create your
new file. You have several choices as to the type of file you're creating; but IDEA
will suggest creating Java files only under the existing configured sourcepaths:

Class creates a standard Java class.

■

Interface creates a standard Java interface.

■

File creates a non-Java file, such as a text file or JSP .

■

Package or Directory creates a new package if you're under a source tree
or otherwise a plain old directory.

■

Singleton creates a class that implements the Singleton pattern, ensuring
that a single instance is constructed.

■

Enumeration Class creates a class that models enumerated types.

■

You're asked to name the file, and, in the case of non-Java files, you must provide
the file extension. For example, if you create a new class or interface, it automati-
cally gets a .java extension.

Editing the default file templates
To edit a default template for a file type, select the File Templates option of the
IDE Settings to bring up the File Templates dialog. This dialog gives you access to
all the templates in the system. The Code tab is used with IDEA 's code-generation
features; the J2EE tab is used for developing web applications. For now, we'll con-
centrate on the Te m p l a t e s and Includes tabs, which are used to create new files.
An example of the file template editor is shown in figure 12.10.