You should use Eclipse as your IDE because you will discover specific packages that make learning and developing in Java easier. While VS Code allows you to write Java code using extensions, Eclipse is more complete for Java development. It offers built-in tools for project management, advanced autocompletion, debugging, and standard Java packages.

Additionally, Eclipse is often recommended for Java beginners because it simplifies access to essential features such as creating classes, organizing packages, and integrating additional tools for advanced development. This will allow you to learn best practices from the beginning.

Even if you have some knowledge of C++, Java has important differences in syntax and concepts such as the Java Virtual Machine (JVM), memory management, and packages. Using Eclipse will give you a better environment to explore these aspects.