Development with Eclipse Software Engineering Prof. Werner Krandick

The Basics Eclipse at first glance looks like most other development environments (Visual Studio, JBuilder, etc.)

The Basics Basic features  Project-based file system  Class-oriented browser Actual files become secondary, as Eclipse views the project at the Class (object) level and does file management for you.  Organized error viewing and running

Why Eclipse? Powerful Versatile  works with Java, C, C++, PHP Extensible  The whole platform is plug-in based, so new plug-ins are available for many tasks. Free! and Open-source  Free download at

The Eclipse Environment The Eclipse visual environment’s organization is based on Perspectives ( under the Window menu ). Each perspective is a collection of Views, or internal windows ( also under the Window menu ). Organized for a particular task. Views can be moved, stacked (tabbed), removed or added. All by drag-drop or the options in the Window menu.

The Eclipse Environment Built in perspectives  Java development  Debugging  CVS  File navigation You also modify or create perspectives ( again, Window menu )

The Java Perspective

The Debugging Perspective

The CVS Perspective

Cool Features Automatic Error Detection  Errors are detected as you type, and every time you save Code generation  Constructors  Inherited abstract methods  Getters/Setters  Import statements Javadoc facilities Note: the features covered here focus on java, not all these features will necessarily be available for C, C++ or other languages.

Automatic Error Detection Errors are shown much like spelling errors in word. Double click any listed tasks to jump to that file/line.

Code Generation Creating a class - Browse for superclass - Browse for interfaces - Add constructors from superclass

Code Generation Getters/Setters - Create data member - Use “Generate getter and setter” under Source menu - Functions and javadoc are auto-generated!

Code Generation Import Organization - Write as if you had already done imports - Use “Organize Imports” (source menu) [Ctrl+Shft+O] - Imports are added for you!

Javadoc Facilities Need javadoc comments for a function? Use “Add Javadoc Comment” under the source menu! Javadoc comment template will be created for you to fill out with the appropriate information Javadoc for functions from an abstract class or interface will automatically refer to the parent function.

Debugging Facilities Eclipse offers various features to make debugging easier Double click on error output to jump to that file/line Keep track of breakpoints Keep track of variables (including variables hidden in objects)

CVS integration Eclipse can associate a project with a CVS repository location. Synchronization with CVS repository is then done by right clicking the project (or folder in the project) and selecting “Synchronize” from the “Team” menu.

CVS integration Synchronization is also done visually!

Continuing with Eclipse Visit to download a copy for your home computerwww.eclipse.org  Get Release version 3.0 (or latest) Run ‘eclipse’ on any of the machines in the CS Lab  This is currently an older version, but much of the functionality is the same