Chapter 4: Using Eclipse
Overview
Eclipse is a development environment that includes many powerful features for creating Java programs. Because Eclipse is free and very powerful, it has become popular among Java developers. In this chapter, you discover the basics of using Eclipse for simple Java development.
REMEMBER Because Eclipse is such a powerful tool, it has a steep learning curve. If you're brand new to Java, I suggest you start out using a simpler environment, such as TextPad (described in Book I, Chapter 3) and turn to Eclipse only after you have your mind around some of Java's programming fundamentals. That way you start out by concentrating on Java programming rather than on learning Eclipse.
When you're ready to get started with Eclipse, go to the Eclipse Web site (http://www.eclipse.org), click the Download Eclipse button, and download the current version of Eclipse. Unlike most programs, Eclipse doesn't have a complicated setup program. You just download the Eclipse Zip file, extract all the files, and then run the Eclipse executable file (eclipse.exe) directly from the folder you extracted it to.
Tip If you're using Windows, you may want to add a desktop shortcut for Eclipse to make it more convenient to start. To do that, open the folder that contains the eclipse.exe file. Then, right-click the file and drag it to the desktop. Release the mouse button and choose Create Shortcut from the menu that appears. You can then start Eclipse by double-clicking this desktop shortcut.
Note that many of the techniques I describe in this chapter won't make much sense to you until you learn how to use the Java programming features they apply to. For example, the information about how to create a new Java class file won't make much sense until you learn about creating Java classes in Book III. As you learn about Java programming features in later chapters, you may want to refer back to this chapter to learn about related Eclipse features.
If you plan on using Eclipse, I suggest you pick up a copy of Eclipse For Dummies by Barry Burd (Wiley Publishing, Inc.).
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