> I'd say textpad with the java  compiler is best. It is what I use. I have
> tried others but always stick with Textpad. It can be download  at
> www.textpad.com
>
> neowhere

A simple text editor  does have good learning elements though. You will
need to learn how to do all of the basic stuff that is required to be a
java programmer which are often done automatically by the IDE (like
class paths).

However I find that for intermediate java programmers intelligent IDES
(like IntelliJ) actually help them learn Java faster (those red
underlines are annoying) than just reading from pure text.

Advanced programmers probably really don't care what they are
programming in, in fact from personal experience I use whatever is the
easiest to use. Such that if I am writing a simple example class I use
what ever medium is the easiest (such as a email client :))and as the
project extends out in time the level of editor to IDE changes depending
on my need.

At the end, it is a tool, and those tools should be used at specific
times, big heavy tools can just be too much for small jobs, while light
weight tools are going to make it in-efficient to do huge jobs.