For Java development on Windows 8, Notepad++ is insufficient for compiling and running Java code. The Processing IDE is recommended for interactive graphics and comes with Java embedded. For a more comprehensive development experience, downloading NetBeans or Eclipse is advised, as these IDEs include Java and offer features like code completion and API lookup, which are essential for professional programming. Alternatively, downloading the JDK from Oracle and using a text editor is an option, but a syntax-aware editor is beneficial for Java coding. Users should ensure they have the correct version of the software for their platform to avoid issues.