The experience gap: How developers’ priorities shift as they grow | The JetBrains Platform Blog

A 2025 survey of IntelliJ Platform plugin developers reveals significant differences in the needs and behaviors of new versus experienced developers. Experienced developers, who often have extensive software development backgrounds, frequently reference the IntelliJ Platform source code and engage more actively in community resources, such as the JetBrains Platform Discourse forum, to address their needs for detailed technical understanding and precise API documentation. Conversely, new developers, who often struggle with the platform's complexity and terminology, rely more on beginner-friendly resources like Stack Overflow and YouTube to navigate challenges such as codebase navigation and API version compatibility. The survey highlights a community with diverse experience levels and needs, emphasizing the importance of tailored documentation and support to accommodate both new and seasoned developers. As a result, the IntelliJ Platform team is focused on balancing these needs by prioritizing improvements in documentation and community support, thereby enhancing the overall plugin development experience.