macOS How do you combine Eclipse Java and C IDEs?

[exe163]

I downloaded both packages of eclipse for java and c. Is there a way to combine the two so that I can open up one eclipse client and code for both languages?

P.S. I am a coding newbie hope this makes sense.

 

[jtara]

I downloaded both packages of eclipse for java and c. Is there a way to combine the two so that I can open up one eclipse client and code for both languages?

Eclipse is basically a framework for holding "plugins". Any of the pre-configured packages for various purposes are simply the base installation with some collection of plug-ins pre-installed.

So, just install one or the other, than add the plug-in for the other.

I think the Java plugin is a bit of a giant, so install that one, then add the C++ plugin.

 

[exe163]

Eclipse is basically a framework for holding "plugins". Any of the pre-configured packages for various purposes are simply the base installation with some collection of plug-ins pre-installed.

So, just install one or the other, than add the plug-in for the other.

I think the Java plugin is a bit of a giant, so install that one, then add the C++ plugin.

Thanks, that makes sense. Is there an easy way to merge folders together and ignore the files with the same names??

 

[jiminaus]

Thanks, that makes sense. Is there an easy way to merge folders together and ignore the files with the same names??

I don't think that would work because the plugin registry won't be correct. You end up with all the plugin files, but only either the Java or the C plugins registered, not both.

 

[jtara]

Thanks, that makes sense. Is there an easy way to merge folders together and ignore the files with the same names??

You really need to use the built-in plugin manager. Normally, you point it at a URL and it takes care of checking dependencies, downloading, and installing. You can also install from a local source, but that's normally unnecessary.

So, just forget about one of the downloads you have.

Normally, I like to start with "Eclipse Classic" and build from there. But if you are doing Java development, the Java eclipse stuff is kinda humongous, so probably best to start with the packaged Java development build and add the C++ plugin.

There are lots of useful "little" plugins that add various enhancements that are typically useful in most programming environments. So, it's useful to explore beyond language plugins.

 

[exe163]

Thanks for the heads up. Can you point me at exactly which plugins I need to run C? I am planning to learn C on my own for the next few weeks I don't want any headache due to missing plugins.

 

[mazal]

i'm having trouble with this as well. in eclipse i can navigate to how to install new software/plugins, but there is no clear path to what url to use. googling this for an hour now.. all roads point to download and install.

any pointers?? literally?
thanks.

 

[mazal]

magic combo found!

i finally managed the magic combo. getting a c/c++ IDE into my already established eclipse-juno/java build. yay.

to build on jtara's reply, use the built-in plugin manager:

- go to the eclipse menu: help > install new software.
- at head of the "Available Software" window, in "work with" box type or paste the url, http://archive.eclipse.org/tools/cdt/releases/juno/.
- find CDT, or c++ packages, and install.

* alternatively *

- go to the eclipse menu: help > install new software.
- at head of the "Available Software" window click the drop down menu in "work with" box.
- choose "--All Available Sites--".
- a list of packages will be presented; check off "CDT main feature;" and "CDT optional feature."
- let the dialogue boxes guide your install.

in retrospect, it is worth exploring "Eclipse Marketplace," and "Install new Software" items found at the tail end of eclipse help menu. it wasn't intuitive to navigate, or be precise about what i wanted/needed. but now that i'm hip to it, there is a rich and deep supply of packages and support easily installed, and waiting to be discovered! i'm a happy camper, because having more than one base build would be a nightmare (one poster admitted to have more than six!).

 

[z2daj]

to build on jtara's reply, use the built-in plugin manager:

- go to the eclipse menu: help > install new software.
- at head of the "Available Software" window, in "work with" box type or paste the url, http://archive.eclipse.org/tools/cdt/releases/juno/.
- find CDT, or c++ packages, and install.

* alternatively *

- go to the eclipse menu: help > install new software.
- at head of the "Available Software" window click the drop down menu in "work with" box.
- choose "--All Available Sites--".
- a list of packages will be presented; check off "CDT main feature;" and "CDT optional feature."
- let the dialogue boxes guide your install.

Couldn't have said it any better myself, but do make sure you have a C compiler installed on your machine! In my experience, the Eclipse CDT does not include a C compiler, so you'll have to download one separately. It's a part that is often overlooked and it's extremely frustrating when you try to build the standard "Hello World" project and it throws errors at you.

If you're in OS X you can install "Command Line Tools" under Preferences in XCode which will install gcc for you.

If you're in Windows I've always used MinGW with great success, and it's really easy to setup.

If you're in Linux, you'd have to download the gcc tarball and build it yourself IF it's not already installed by default.

Hope this helps and happy coding! 🙂