How to Refactor a Class/Method/Package in IntelliJ Idea?

As you know, code refactoring is one of the most advantageous actions in programming and IntelliJ IDEA provides many opportunities to improve your code’s readability, maintainability, and structure. Here are the steps to refactor a class, method, or package in IntelliJ IDEA:

Refactoring a Class

Rename a Class:

• In the editor or the Project tool window, right-click and select the class name.
• Select the Rename option from the context menu by right-clicking and going to Refactor > Rename, or use the shortcut keys Shift + F6.
• Type the new name and press the Enter button.
• IntelliJ IDEA will show you a preview of the changes. Review them and press Do Refactor.

Move a Class:

• Right-click the class of your choice in the Project tool window.
• Select the class name and click on Refactor and then on Move in the context menu, or press F6.
• Select the folder or a directory for the selected destination package.
• Click on Refactor to make the changes take an effect.

Refactoring a Method

Rename a Method:

• Click on the method name and locate the cursor there.
• Right click the desired name and select Refactor and then Rename, or press Shift + F6.
• Type the new name and then hit the Enter key on the keyboard.
• Examine the modifications done on the preview and click on Do Refactor.

Change Method Signature:

• Position the cursor on top of the method’s name.
• Select with mouse right-click and now select Refactor > Change Signature, or press Ctrl + F6.
• Rename or change the type, the parameters, the returned type or protectedness status of the method.
• Click Refactor to budget for the changes.

Refactoring a Package

Rename a Package:

• Right click the package in the Project tool window.
• Using one of the ways: right click within the filed and select Refactor menu and then Rename. Another way is Press Shift + F6.
• Type in the new name followed by the Enter key.
• Look at the modifications in the preview and press Do Refactor.

Move a Package:

• Right-click on the package in the Project tool window.
• Highlight the desired class and then use the context menu, choose Refactor and then Move, or use the hot key F6.
• Locate the directory or choose the package where the changes are to be made.
• Tap on Refactor to make the changes.

Tips and Tricks to Enhance Your Experience with IntelliJ IDEA

Optimizing usage of the IntelliJ IDEA means using and expanding the possibilities of the program’s functionality and settings. Here are some tips and tricks to help you get the most out of IntelliJ IDEA:

Keyboard Shortcuts

• Master the Basics: Such things as code completion, by Ctrl + Space, finding any action using Ctrl + Shift + A and so on, Shift + Shift for search everywhere is useful.
• Navigate Between Files: There is a wonderful feature that allows the user to switch between the last opened files, and to do this, you need to press Ctrl + E.
• Refactor Efficiently: To beautify code, go to Source > Reformat Code and use the shortcut Ctrl + Alt + L Press Ctrl + Alt + O to organize imports and for quick code correction press Alt + Enter.

Customizing the IDE

• Themes and Fonts: This allows you to dream up the appearance of your IDE and switch between themes and font types. To make changes, select go to File, then select Settings, next is Editor, and at the end, there is Colors & Fonts.
• Keymap Customization: Adjust versatile settings for keys through the navigation bar: File -> Settings -> Keymap.
• Live Templates: Code templates can be generated for often written code structures by going to File -> Settings -> Editor -> Live Templates.

Productivity Features

• Code Analysis: Learn how to use the inspections available for the IntelliJ IDEA to code analysis and find out withing your code some potential problems. Get to these through Code > Inspect Code.
• Version Control Integration: Use all the opportunities provided by IntelliJ IDEA in terms of work with Git, SVN, and other systems of version control. They are accessed from the VCS menu Other features of the version control are The difference between the working copy and the repository version.

Conclusion

Controlling your codebase and using those refactoring options provided in the IntelliJ IDEA you will be able to manage and enhance it.