Set the maximum and minimum memory for IDEA dynamically during installation : IDEA-29905

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Project	IntelliJ IDEA
Priority	Normal
Type	Feature
Fix versions	No Fix versions
State	Open
Assignee	Dmitry Jemerov
Subsystem	IDE Configuration
Affected versions	No Affected versions
Fixed in build	No Fixed in build

Created by Markus Halttunen
6 years ago (25 Aug 2005 12:30)
Updated by Markus Halttunen
5 months ago (23 Dec 2011 11:58)
Jira: IDEADEV-2356
(history, comments)

IDEA-29905 Set the maximum and minimum memory for IDEA dynamically during installation

Issue is visible to: All Users

I think the default values for JVM memory (-Xms and -Xmx) are not the best ones for most systems. However, it is quite tedious to update them manually and they are lost when IDEA is updated. (At least on OS X).

I'm suggesting that you would define those values as part of the installation process. The installer could check how much memory is available and set those values based on that data. Alternatively the installer could simply ask the user how much memory he wants IDEA to use with an explanation on what effects the different values would have.

This way most of the users would have more realistic amount of memory defined for IDEA without having to change the settings manually.

Maxim Shafirov

01 Sep 2005 21:04

6 years ago

I'd say this should better be editable from IDEA's itself UI (requesting restart for the changes to take effect of course).

Markus Halttunen

02 Sep 2005 10:48

6 years ago

Agreed. That would be even better.

Markus Halttunen

13 Dec 2007 18:18

4 years ago

Maxim, like I said two years ago, your suggestion is even better. But perhaps it is a bit too ambitious? How about at least defining the memory settings somewhere in the user's home directory so that they don't have to always reset them to more realistic values after updating to a new IDEA version?

AlexL

04 Apr 2008 13:45

4 years ago

I've been using VMOptions plugin for a long time which preserves IDEA JVM settings. However, upon upgrading, the new settings will only take effect the 2nd time you run IDEA, because you have to run IDEA once so the VMOptions plugin can write the file.

It would be great if this was builtin to IDEA, allowing us to edit it in the UI. Jetbrains should be able to preserve the setttings during upgrade.

Taras Tielkes

29 May 2009 02:33

2 years ago

Ooh yes - I've edited vmoptions 100s of time by now.

James Briant

28 Oct 2009 03:43

2 years ago

Haha, and so I end up here. Would be really handy when testing new versions.

Markus Halttunen

22 Dec 2011 19:40

5 months ago

It's pretty funny how this issue gets votes over six years after it was created. ;)

Taras Tielkes

22 Dec 2011 20:23

5 months ago

Current -Xmx and PermSize values work quite well for most projects, unlike the ones used by IDEA some years ago.

Markus Halttunen

23 Dec 2011 11:58

5 months ago

Another thing that helps is the fact that nowadays IDEA supports incremental updates, which retains the Info.plist at least on OS X. In fact, from my perspective this issue could even be closed.