1 Stick with VSCode

In general, I recommend that students use VSCode, if they already have:

1. VSCode configured on their machines.
2. Remote development set up to use the CS Linux servers.

2 Why Mention Eclipse?

Vim (and to a lesser degree) VSCode are my editors of choice. Many students prefer an IDE that is configured out of the box. Eclipse is an okay Java IDE.

3 Using Gradle with Eclipse

In my Gradle build scripts (i.e., build.gradle) you will find lines in the form:

apply plugin: "java"
apply plugin: "application"
apply plugin: "eclipse"

or

plugins {
    id "java"
    id "application"
    id "eclipse"

These lines are followed by settings for:

1. Compiling and running a program with ./gradlew run
2. Compiling and running unit tests with ./gradlew test
3. Generating an Eclipse project with ./gradlew eclipse

It is the last Gradle task (i.e., eclipse) that interests us. This allows us to skip the manual setup of a Java project.

4 Eclipse Import Instructions

To get started grab one of my Java examples or Java assignments.

1. Place a copy of a zip file in a memorable location (i.e., one you will remember).

2. Extract the zip file.

3. If your are on Linux or macOS:

   1. Open a terminal in the selected directory.
   2. Run ./gradlew eclipse

4. If your are on Windows:

   1. Open a Command Prompt window or Powershell Window in the selected directory.
   2. Run .\gradlew.bat eclipse

5. Open Eclipse.

6. Go to File -> Import Existing Project.

7. Select the directory you chose in Step 1.

5 Eclipse Video