Setting up the Eclipse Environment
Archi is built upon the Eclipse Rich Client Platform (RCP) and is also developed using the Eclipse Integrated Development Environment (IDE). This section deals with setting up the Eclipse IDE ready for development.
Eclipse runs on top of Java so you need to ensure that you have installed the correct Java Development Kit (JDK). Which distribution you use is up to you, but Archi is targeted at JDK 17.
Important
If you developing on Mac and are using macOS Sonoma or later and a Temurin JDK, the latest versions of Temurin JDK 17 will result in Archi showing a blank screen when debugging Archi from Eclipse. See here. To avoid this, install Temurin JDK 17.0.9+9 (download link) or use a JDK from a different vendor.
Download the Eclipse IDE version 4.31 (March 2024) from Eclipse Downloads. Ensure that you download a package that is correct for your OS and includes the Git client and support for Eclipse plug-in and RCP (Rich Client Platform) development. If you choose a basic package you will have to manually install additional Eclipse plug-ins (for example, Git integration).
The variety of Eclipse packages available can be confusing. You need a package that supports both Java and RCP (Rich Client Platform) development. If you're not sure, choose the Eclipse for RCP and RAP Developers package.
I find that the Eclipse packages linked above are not really suited to my needs. I use the basic Eclipse SDK (https://download.eclipse.org/eclipse/downloads/) and manually add Git integration as described below.
- Extract the Eclipse IDE files somewhere on your development machine. This will create an "eclipse" folder (Or an "Eclipse" app on Mac)
- Launch Eclipse from the "eclipse" executable file, or "Eclipse" app on Mac
- You will be asked to select a "Workspace". If you're not sure, select the default and check "Use this as the default and do not ask again"
- Dismiss the Welcome Screen
- Set up Eclipse just how you would like to work with it.
Important! Ensure that you set Eclipse to use the JDK installed on your system, otherwise you won't be able to debug Java code. Set this up in Preferences, Java, Installed JREs and add the JDK.
Note - Archi is targeted for JDK 17.
You might want to set up your Eclipse installation with more Eclipse plug-ins. Some Eclipse packages don't include Git integration. If this is the case you can add more plug-ins to your Eclipse IDE.
You can add these plug-ins from within Eclipse itself:
- Choose Help-->Install New Software... to invoke the wizard
- In the "Work with" combo box select
2023-06 - https://download.eclipse.org/releases/2023-06 - Wait for the dialog list to populate (You will see a "Pending..." message. Sometimes this can take a long time...)
- From the list under "Collaboration" select "Git integration for Eclipse"
- Click "Next" and Accept all terms to Finish the wizard.
- Note - sometimes this can take a long time...keep trying...
- The libraries should then be installed and you will need to restart Eclipse
Now you are ready to move onto the next stage, Importing the Code.