I downloaded the latest Eclipse release train (Juno) on the weekend. As this was going to be for Java development, I started with the Java EE Package and built it up from there.
As usual with a new Eclipse release – some things have changed, and some have remained the same. The Java EE package (previously known as J2EE) (http://www.eclipse.org/downloads/packages/node/821) contained most of what I needed, but one of the features of Eclipse is its extendibility and like everyone else I have my favourite addons.
For version control I am using Subversion and Subclipse by Tigris (http://subclipse.tigris.org/) was the standard interface, but now there is Eclipse Subversive – Subversion (SVN) Team Provider (http://www.eclipse.org/subversive/). However this is not included by default, but CVS and Git both are?
Maven Integration (http://www.eclipse.org/m2e/) is not included in the Java EE package but is in the Java package. Why?
The BIRT reporting tool (http://www.eclipse.org/birt/phoenix/) is under rated – it allows you to create professional reports, in a variety of output formats, using a visual editor – what is not to like? Much easier than some of the other tools I have used (like Oracle Reports). While some of the earlier versions of BIRT were not really ready, the 3.7 release was quite good, so I am looking forward to seeing what is in version 4.2
The WindowBuilder (http://www.eclipse.org/windowbuilder/) is new. I had been using the Visual Editor for my Swing UIs but it was never really that good. This new editor looks very impressive – I might have to refactor some old code just to check it out.
The Jubula Functional Testing Tool (http://www.eclipse.org/jubula/) sounds interesting.
The code completion suggestions from Eclipse Code Recommenders (http://eclipse.org/recommenders/) should save a lot of ‘Quick Reference’ lookups.
A couple of other tools from the Juno release (http://download.eclipse.org/releases/juno)
- General Purpose Tools – Memory Analyzer
- Database Development
JAutodoc (http://jautodoc.sourceforge.net/) is an Eclipse Plugin for automatically adding Javadoc and file headers to your source code. It optionally generates initial comments from element name by using Velocity templates for Javadoc and file headers.
EclEmma (http://www.eclemma.org/) is a free Java code coverage tool for Eclipse, available under the Eclipse Public License. EclEmma adds a so called launch mode to the Eclipse workbench. It is called Coverage mode and works exactly like the existing Run and Debug modes.
AmaterasERD (http://amateras.sourceforge.jp/cgi-bin/fswiki_en/wiki.cgi?page=AmaterasERD) is an Eclipse plug-in to draw ER diagrams.
Now just need to write some code!