Eclipse (a Java IDE) - First Steps

(Free Web Tutorial)

by Michael Thomas

In this tutorial you will install Eclilpse SDK, create your first Java Project and then create the Java Cert project for the "Free Java Core & Certification Training Web Tutorial".

Note: On the UML Home page, you can download the whole UML site (all content, tutorials & examples) !!!

This tutorial covers: Eclipse 3.3.2 for JEE (has many Europa features) (as of 05/18/08)

Prerequisites

Have JDK 5 or high installed.
This tutorials has been tested in the following environment:
Date: 05/19/08
OS: Win XPro
JDK: jdk1.6.0_03

Objectives

Install Eclilpse SDK,
Create your first Java Project
Create the Java Cert project for the "Free Java Core & Certification Training Web Tutorial".

IDE - Interactive Development Environment

Eclipse General Info

Eclipse version - Help, About SDK
JVM version used to run programs:
- Launch Eclipse. Help, About SDK,
- Click "Configuration Details".
  - You can see what Java VM is used to run your programs.
    - java.vendor - Java vendor.
    - java.version & java.vm.version - Java version.
- Click "Feature Details" to see all the features you have or have added.
- Click "Plugin" to see the plugins.
JDK version used to compile java programs
- Sorry, I don't know where to locate this information. Email me if you know.

FYI - Possible Errors:

Memory problems:
- Fix:
  Modifiy your eclipse.ini file.
  -Xms40m
  -Xmx512m
  -XX:PermSize=512m
Class Diagram Error in the .java file caused when there is a many relationship and the JDK Compiler is less than 5.0.
- Multiple markers at this line
  - The type Collection is not generic; it cannot be parameterized with arguments <ContractHourly>
  - Syntax error, parameterized types are only available if source level is 5.0
  - Watch point: Company [access and modification] - contractorHourly
- Fix:
  In Eclipse, at the top click
  Window, Preferences, expand "Java", "Compiler" then click on "Compiler".
  JDK compliance level: 5.0 (or greater)
  If you want to configure a specific project then click "Configure Project Specific Settings".

Eclipse Install - Eclipse SDK 3.3.2

Prerequisites - JRE (Java Runtime Environment)
Download Eclipse
- www.eclipse.org
  - Click "Downloads" tab at the top.
  - Click on: "Windows" across from Eclipse IDE for Java EE Developers - Windows (126 MB) - this is the most complete package of the list. Has everything but the C/C+ feature.
    Download filename: eclipse-jee-europa-winter-win32.zip - 130mg (has Eclipse 3.3.2)
    Contains:
    - RCP/Platform
    - CVS
    - EMF - Eclipse Modeling Framework
    - GEF - Graphical Editing Framework
    - JDT
    - Mylyn
    - PDE
    - DTP - Data tools
    - JST
    - Optional Europa features you can add:
      - Ruby Development Tools (DLTK)
        Test and Performance Tools (TPTP)
        Graphical Modeling Framework (GMF)
  - FYI Information:
    - http://www.eclipse.org/downloads/moreinfo/compare.php - view a chart on what is included in each version.
    - A more detailed listing of java features: http://www.eclipse.org/epp/content.php
    - http://www.eclipse.org/downloads/moreinfo/jee.php - at the bottom is links to Tutorials & Help.
    - http://www.eclipse.org/epp/faq.php - FAQs & Errors
  - Click on one of the download sites.
  - Click on the Disk-to-Computer icon called "Download now: Eclipse SDK x.x.x"
    file: eclipse-SDK-3.1.1-win32.zip
If updating Eclipse to a newer version - if you are upgrading your Eclipse version read these notes.
- I like to launch my current version of Eclipse, click "Help", then "About Eclipse SDK" and write down the version.
- Next, I'll rename my current directory from "c:\eclipse" to "c:\eclipse_x.x.x" (using the version # for the Xs). This way you can still launch the old version if you want to.
- Note: Normally all of your projects will still show up because you will specify your eclipse workspace which has the meta data.
Install Eclipse
- Extract the zip file to: C:\
  Note: The files will be extracted to: C:\eclipse\... Make sure that zip programs "Use folder names" is enabled.
Launch Eclipse
- Create a directory for your workspace: c:\eclipseworkspace
- Run the executable: C:\eclipse\eclipse.exe - use Win Explorer to launch the executable.
- Workspace = c:\eclipseworkspace
- Click OK.
Optional (Win XP) - Create an entry in "Start", "All Programs"
- Right click on "Start", choose "Explorer all users",
- Click on "Programs"
- Click "File", "New", "Shortcut"
- For location of item, browse to: C:\eclipse\eclipse.exe
- Click next.
- Name for the shortcut: Eclipse
- Click "Finish"
- Click "Start", "All Programs"
- Click "Eclipse" to launch the program.

Create a Test Java Project & Java Class

Create a test Java Project
- File, New, Project
- Click "Java Project", then Next
- Project name: MyJavaTest
- Click "Finish"
Create a new Java Class
- File, New, Class
- Source Folder: should be defaulted to "MyJavaTest" which was created above.
- Name: MyApplication
- Click "Finish"
- Make the java class have the following code:
  public class MyApplication {
  public static void main( String [] args ) {
  System.out.println("Hello World from an Application.");
  }
  }
- Save the application with "Ctrl-S".
- Click "Run", "Run As", "Java Application"
- In the "Console" window at the bottom you should see the following:
  Hello World from an Application.
- Click the "Clear Console" icon (Paper with an X in it).
- Congratulations - you have created and tested you first Java Application.
- Notes
  - C:\eclipseworkspace\MyJavaTest - has the files you just created.

Setup a Project for "javacert"

You can setup Eclipse to access all of my Java Certification examples that I have at my web site on your local PC.
Click on the link below and look for the section titled "Download Files". Extract the zip file into a directory. When you extract the file it will create a directory called "javacert".
Free Training: Sun Certified Java Programmer Exam
Launch Eclipse
Create a Java Project.
- File, New, Java Project, Next
- Project Name: javacert
- Contents: "Create project from existing source".
- Click "Browse" and locate the directory you extracted (ie: javacert). Click "Finish"
- On the "Java Settings" screen, click "Finish"
- Change the output folder.
  - Project, Properties
  - Click "Java Build Properties"
  - Default Output folder: javacert\classes
- Now you can edit and run the source code at my web site on your local PC using Eclipse - HAVE FUN.