Java Lab #1: Introduction to Eclipse

  1. Log on to one of the lab machines and start the Eclipse integrated development environment (IDE). The icon for Eclipse looks like a flat blue ball. It should be on the desktop but if not look for the C:\eclipse folder and run the eclipse.exe executable inside of it. If there are multiple versions of Eclipse use version 4.4 (Luna). When you are prompted about the workspace location enter M:\workspace. This will put your Eclipse workspace in your personal space on the file server where you can access it from any lab computer.

  2. Read my web page on using Eclipse (you can skip the installation instructions). Follow the instructions for creating a Java project and type in the "Hello, World" program shown. Get the program to run so its output appears in Eclipse's console window.

  3. Modify your program so it contains an error (misspell a word) and see how Eclipse behaves. Try to run the program.

  4. Modify the program so it prints out a box of 'X' characters like this:

                    XXXXXXXX
                    X      X
                    X      X
                    XXXXXXXX
    

For full credit be sure to demonstrate your final running program to me before you leave class. There is nothing to submit for this lab.

Although not required for this course (you can use the lab machines) I invite you to install a Java development environment on your personal computer. To do that first install a Java JDK from Oracle. Then download Eclipse and install it as well. I can assist you if you have any questions.