10 Oct 08 New Project , New Eclipse 3.4 Installation on Mac OSX Leopard
It happens once in a while. When starting a new project you re-install your Eclipse environment. This document describes the initial setup I use and the problems I encountered during the setup.
Details: Mac Book Pro Intel , OsX Leopard
Step 1: Downloading Eclipse
- Nothing as dull as describing how to download Eclipse. Point your browser to http://www.eclipse.org/downloads
and Select the version Eclipse IDE for Java EE Developers (+/- 162MB). If you are downloading on a windows machine be sure to select the correct version as the download site tries to be smart … - We downloaded the file called eclipse-jee-ganymede-SR1-macosx-carbon.tar.gz
- And save it somewhere where you can find it back
- Extract the file (double click) will resullt in a folder ‘eclipse’
- Copy the file in /Applications directory (requires admin privileges)
Step 2: Preparing your Java JVM (Use 1.5 for Eclipse)
check your java version by open a commandline and running: ‘java -version’
macbook-patrick:~ patrick$ java -version
java version “1.5.0_13″
Java(TM) 2 Runtime Environment, Standard Edition (build 1.5.0_13-b05-237)
Java HotSpot(TM) Client VM (build 1.5.0_13-119, mixed mode, sharing)If this reads 1.6.x this will result in Eclipse to Crash (JVM Terminated).
Applications/eclipse/Eclipse.app/Contents/MacOS/eclipse ; exit;
macbook-patrick:~ patrick$ /Applications/eclipse/Eclipse.app/Contents/MacOS/eclipse ; exit;
_NSJVMLoadLibrary: NSAddLibrary failed for /System/Library/Frameworks/JavaVM.framework/Versions/CurrentJDK/Libraries/libjvm.dylib
JavaVM FATAL: Failed to load the jvm library.
You have two options:
- Switch the whole system back to 1.5 (recommended).
- link /System/Library/Frameworks/JavaVM.framework/Versions/CurrentJDK to the correct one
- launch /Applications/Utilities/Java/Java\ Preferences.app/Contents/MacOS/Java\ Preferences.
See also http://www.gridshore.nl/2008/03/29/java-on-apples-mac-osx/
- Change the Eclipse start script so that it specifically uses 1.5: edit /Applications/eclipse/Eclipse.app/Contents/MacOS/eclipse.ini
- Add : -vm /System/Library/Frameworks/JavaVM.framework/Versions/1.5/Commands/java
Step 3: First Launch and cleanup
Launch eclipse by clicking on launching /Applications/eclipse/Eclipse . (the lowercase one will spawn a shell for debug log)
Have it point to a workspace directory . I choose $HOME/Documents/development/workspace
When I started it correctly recovered my previous projects in that folder. But the console was giving a warning Project ‘.JETEmitters’ is missing required library .
This JETEmitters seems to be a hidden project that was used in the past f.i. by other projects. This can be safely removed:
- go to the project explorer view
- select available customizations
- click on the small triangle and change the filter options (In the Filter tab -> (deselect) .JetEmitters and .* resources)
- Now the project should be visible and you can delete it
Step 4: Make sure you are and stay current
Even when I downloaded there was still an update to be done
- Help -> Software Updates and Add-ons
- Check Updates
- Install updates and restart.
Auto Update: This might be a double edge sword. I would never automatically update my environment but I do want to be notified
- Stay current -> Automatic Updates (preferences)
- Update every day: 13:00 PM
- Search updates and notify
Step 5: Install some common plugins
Installing plugins in Eclipse is easy
- Help -> Software Updates and Add-ons
- Add Site … (your plugin update page)
- Install…
Subversion Plugin
- Plugin is provided by http://subclipse.tigris.org
- Update Site: http://subclipse.tigris.org/update_1.4.x
- Selected:
- Java HL Adapter
- Subversion Native Library Adapter (JavaHL)
- Subclipse (required)
- Subclipse
- Subversion Client Adapter
- Press Install
- Restart Eclipse Now
I tried a sample checkout : File -> New -> SVN -> Checkout Projects from SVN -> Unable to load default SVN Client
This error is because the current version of Leopard is too old (1.4)
macbook-patrick:~ patrick$ svn –version
svn, version 1.4.4 (r25188)
compiled Sep 23 2007, 22:32:34
To fix this you have three options:
- Use SVNKit (Pure Java): http://www.benjaminbooth.com/tableorbooth/2007/03/subclipse_insta.html
- Install the Native Code for JavaHL :
- Download a 5.x version of SVN at http://www.open.collab.net/downloads/community/
- this will install in /opt/subversion
- Change your /Applications/eclipse/Eclipse.app/Contents/MacOS/eclipse.ini
- Add -Djava.library.path=/opt/subversion/lib
- restart Eclipse
- Install fink, darwinports , … to have the version of Eclipse
Maven2 Plugin:
- Update Site: http://m2eclipse.codehaus.org/
- Selected:
- Everything except AJDT
- If you are doing WTP and Maven2 , be sure to select WTP support
- http://docs.codehaus.org/display/M2ECLIPSE/WTP+mini+howto
- http://www.devx.com/Java/Article/36785/1763/page/2
- Press Install
- Restart Eclipse Now
JUnit Plugin:
Eclipse has Junit Integrated now, no need for a plugin anymore
Aptana Plugin: (for doing javascript better)
- Update Site: http://update.aptana.com/install/studio/3.2/
- Selected:
- All options
- Press Install
- Restart Eclipse Now
Groovy Plugin:
- Update Site: http://dist.codehaus.org/groovy/distributions/update/
- Selected:
- All options except groovyTestNG
- Press Install
- Restart Eclipse Now
See also http://groovy.codehaus.org/Eclipse+Plugin
CheckStyle Plugin: 5.0. beta 0.1
- Update Site: http://eclipse-cs.sourceforge.net/update
- Selected:
- All options
- Press Install
- Restart Eclipse Now
Cobertura Plugin: Test Coverage(no eclipse plugin yet?)
- Site: http://cobertura.sourceforge.net/
See http://www.nabble.com/Eclipse-plugin-for-Cobertura-td19497037.html
PMD Plugin:
- Update Site: http://pmd.sourceforge.net/eclipse/
- Selected:
- Eclipse 3.x version
- Press Install
- Restart Eclipse Now
More to check later …
Trac Plugin:
Hudson Plugin:
Hibernate plugin
If you want to run more than one Eclipse instance, just copy the application bundle (only 120kb) and give it a different name. I use names which relate to the software projects I am working on. The name is also being displayed in the dock, so you always know where you are going to.
Yes you could do all of that … but at the end you’ll still have a crappy environment!
Don’t get me started on Maven multi module projects and Eclipse, nor the support for Spring, Hibernate or whatever technology, nor any web related technology, nor refactoring capabilities … they ALL lack maturity.
I could say Eclipse is great, but I would be lying, I truly hate it! On a recent project everyone was using it so I taught why not give it another try? I switched back within the week to my beloved IntelliJ!!! Another week later other team members have been installing it also
Just have a look at IntelliJ it will boost your productivity beyond believe. It is such a mature platform for development, you wont believe it. And yes, it embraces multi module structure + Maven 
Yes, it is not free but at least you get what you pay for. Support is more than great, if you run into a bug or a problem you’ll get a reply within 24h. Even their support for EAP versions is amazing, you want it they fix it!
IntelliJ … the force is strong with this one!
Wow, Harald and Maarten thanks for the comments. I’m learning something new everyday (Patrick in Wonderland
I’ll give IntelliJ a try and who knows I’ll end up writing the same document for IntelliJ …
The option to add -vm param in eclipse.ini did not work for me. Instead I uncommented a line in Eclipse/Contents/Info.plist close the end of file that looks like this:
-vm/System/Library/Frameworks/JavaVM.framework/Versions/1.5/Commands/java
Hope it helps.