Just Enough Developed Infrastructure

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
http://publib.boulder.ibm.com/infocenter/rsdhelp/v7r0m0/index.jsp?topic=/com.ibm.xtools.transform.uml2.corba.doc/topics/tcorbaviewjettempl.html

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
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:
Maven2 Plugin:
JUnit Plugin:

Eclipse has Junit Integrated now, no need for a plugin anymore

Aptana Plugin: (for doing javascript better)

See http://www.aptana.com/docs/index.php/Plugging_Aptana_into_an_existing_Eclipse_configuration#Eclipse_3.4_Instructions

Groovy Plugin:


See also http://groovy.codehaus.org/Eclipse+Plugin

CheckStyle Plugin: 5.0. beta 0.1
Cobertura Plugin: Test Coverage(no eclipse plugin yet?)
See http://www.nabble.com/Eclipse-plugin-for-Cobertura-td19497037.html


PMD Plugin:

More to check later ...
Trac Plugin: 
Hudson Plugin:
Hibernate plugin

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