Level: Intermediate Martin Streicher (mstreicher@linux-mag.com), Editor in Chief, Linux Magazine
21 Feb 2006 This tutorial demonstrates many of the new features found in the most recent release of Eclipse V3.1. You will find this tutorial useful if you're considering upgrading to V3.1 from a previous release, or if you're considering switching to Eclipse from another integrated development environment. You may also find it useful if you want to revise your code to take advantage of the latest iteration of the Java™ programming language, Java 2 Standard Edition V1.5, which adds a number of powerful constructs and conveniences to Java technology.
In this tutorial
This tutorial demonstrates many of the new features found in the most recent release of the Eclipse platform, V3.1. You will find this tutorial useful if you're considering upgrading to V3.1 from a previous version, or if you're considering switching to Eclipse from another integrated development environment (IDE). You may also find it useful if you want to revise your Java code to take advantage of the latest iteration of Java technology: Java 2 Standard Edition (J2SE) V1.5, which adds a number of powerful constructs and programming conveniences to the core Java technology.
Objectives
Discover many of the new features of Eclipse V3.1. You learn how to install the Eclipse platform and the underlying Java Virtual Machine (JVM) software, examine many Eclipse V3.1 innovations, and explore numerous examples of how the new Java Development Tools (JDT) hasten development with the new language constructs of J2SE V1.5.
Prerequisites
You should have experience with Java software development and some experience creating code in an IDE. You should also have experience installing software from the command line, and setting and managing shell and system environment variables, such as the Java language's CLASSPATH and PATH. Acquaintance with previous releases of Eclipse is also beneficial, but isn't required.
System requirements
Before you start, you must install several software packages on your UNIX®, Solaris, Linux®, Mac OS X, or Microsoft® Windows® system. Specifically, you need a functioning JVM and a copy of the Eclipse V3.1 platform. Here's the complete list of software that you need: Any computer with a JVM should be able to run Eclipse. However, since many of the features shown here are tailored to J2SE V1.5, it's best if your machine can run that version of Java technology. Sun Microsystems provides versions of J2SE V1.5 for Solaris, Windows, and Linux. Apple provides J2SE V1.5 for Mac OS X (as of version 10.4.4). Other platforms may also be supported. If you do not have J2SE V1.5 and Eclipse V3.1 installed, make sure you have at least 300 MB of physical disk space free before proceeding. You should also have enough RAM to run the JVM. In general, 64 MB or more of free physical memory is required to run the JVM. A large amount of free RAM typically translates to better performance.
Duration
Under two hours
Formats html, pdf
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