Getting started with node is a matter of downloading a single binary, writing one js file, and executing it with said binary.
Upgrading that to Typescript is a matter of downloading another binary, and running the two in sequence.
Conversely, Java feels like I have to develop a whole program just to get my program to run.
I think we can conclude that if you have so prior knowledge, getting it working is much easier.
2. Compile it to bytecode (.class file): `javac HelloWorld.java`.
3. Run it: `java HelloWorld.class`.
If you want to use other libraries, add `-cp` parameter ("cp" stands for "classpath").
If you want to package your code as a library, run `jar HelloWorld.class` (.jar is basically .zip renamed).
Also note that `java HelloWorld` looks for classes, so if you are in the same directory as the classfile, .class is not required.
From there add a dependency by editing build.gradle.kts and you will be doing OK in no time.
1. Enable the Kotlin Plugin
2. Set the package metadata (group and version)
3. Add Maven Central as a repository (equivalent of say npmjs.com)
4. Add the Kotlin Stdlib as a dependency.
You may have accidentally enabled extra stuff through the new project wizard which is admittedly more complex than it should be (especially if you are using IDEA Ultimate with many plugins enabled).
I suggest the following flow:
New Project -> Select Gradle on the side panel -> Check the Kotlin Build Script box -> Select only Kotlin/JVM.
This should set you up with a very minimal project with exactly 3 files (build.gradle.kts, gradle.properties, settings.gradle.kts).
From here you can either create a package i.e go for the src/main/kotlin/com/example/main.kt route or just create main.kt in the top level without a package.
Is this about the "pom.xml" files? In the simplest case, they just contain the name and version of the program, the version of Java you want to use, and the names and versions of the libraries you want to use. You would need to specify this somewhere in any language. And yes, sometimes it gets more complicated, if people want to do more complicated things. It's either this, or having a dialog somewhere in IDE that does the same.
People often overcomplicate things, but it usually doesn't need to be so. As an example of a simple Java code, see this: https://gitlab.com/kittenlord/image
There are a few things that you would have to pay up for that might be worth the money depending on what you are doing. I think their C/C++ IDE (CLion) costs money for example and they have an alternative to XCode called AppCode that does not have a community edition. And they have a few other things that might be worth the cash.
But simple Kotlin development works great without that. Everything you need comes with the community edition. You do need a fast computer to run it. It's a resource hog.