There are those times when you would like to install the Eclipse Software Development Kit (SDK) Integrated Development Environment (IDE). The Eclipse SDK project’s code name is Mars. I have chosen Mars because it supports all Domain Specific Languages (DSL), PHP and practically all the mobile interfaces in a single IDE. The MVC approach is supported nicely in all programming development environments under Mars SDK. This article makes you aware of the dependencies and pitfalls of installing the Eclipse SDK IDE.
First install the Java Development Kit (JDK). The Java Runtime Environment (JRE) is not sufficient for successful Eclipse invocation. Eclipse SDK IDE will not function without at lease one JDK installed. This approach will work until the desired results are not attained. Troubleshooting begins when the desired functionality is not produced. Typically there is nothing to troubleshoot at this point.
The next step would be to install the Eclipse SDK. This lightweight SDK IDE footprint will allow the developer the most flexibility for a software development IDE.
To install Grails first install the Eclipse Marketplace Client.
Once the Eclipse SDK is installed click on the “Help” menu item. Then select the “Install New Software” sub menu item. At the next dialog be sure to select “All Available Sites” option on the first drop-down.
Traverse to the “General Purpose Tools” and left click the selector to view its children. You will notice “Marketplace Client” towards the end of the list. Left click to check it (to be installed) then click the “Next Button” and follow the prompts. This will install the “Marketplace Client”.
Once the “Marketplace Client” is in place click “Help”. Select “Eclipse Marketplace” and when the dialog appears type “Grails” in the Find (search) box of the Market Place Client dialog.
Select the “Install” Option of the most recent Groovy / Grails Tool Suite available. Follow the prompts to successfully install the Grails nature to the Eclipse SDK.
To install the PHP nature to the Eclipse SDK IDE click on the “Help” menu item. Then select the “Install New Software” sub menu item. At the next dialog be sure to select “All Available Sites” option on the first drop-down. Traverse to the “Programming Languages” and click the control on the left to reveal its children. Near the end of the list you will see the “PHP Development Tools (PDT)”. Select that item for installation then click the “Next” control near the bottom of the dialog and simply follow the remaining prompt to install the PHP nature to the Eclipse SDK IDE.
By following these simple instructions you have just enabled the Grails and PHP perspectives / nature to the Eclipse SDK IDE. Your IDE is second to none for these two software development environments as well as other perspectives you may install or activate.
You may proceed to add other natures/perspectives to the Eclipse SDK IDE as you deem necessary. Eclipse Mars can accommodate practically all of your computer software development requirements.
Mr. Arch Brooks, Software Engineer, Brooks Computing Systems, LLC authored this article.