Eclipse IDE: Steps to Download and Install

Eclipse IDE is one of the most popular open-source platforms used by developers around the world, especially for Java programming. Whether you are a beginner starting your first project or an advanced developer exploring new tools, Eclipse offers a powerful and extensible environment with a wide range of development features for everyone. In this guide, you will learn how to install Eclipse, create your first Java program, and explore the plugins and best practices.

Table of Contents:

• What is an Eclipse IDE?
• Steps to Download and Install Eclipse on Windows
  • Step 1: Download Eclipse Installer
  • Step 2: Run the Eclipse Installer
  • Step 3: Choose Eclipse IDE for Java Developers
  • Step 4: Choose Installation Folder
  • Step 5: Accept Licenses and Install
  • Step 6: Launch Eclipse
  • Step 7: Welcome to Eclipse IDE
• How to Write Your First Java Program?
• System Requirements For Eclipse IDE
• Do you need to install Java Before Installing Eclipse?
• Famous Plugins Used in Eclipse IDE
• Best Practices for Using Eclipse Efficiently
• Conclusion

What is an Eclipse IDE?

Eclipse IDE (Integrated Development Environment) is a free and open-source platform used for software development and was initially developed by IBM, further maintained by the Eclipse Foundation. It started as a Java development environment, but now it supports multiple programming languages such as Java, C/C++, Python, PHP, JavaScript, and more through a plugin-based architecture.

Eclipse offers a wide range of features like writing, debugging, testing, and deploying applications, and also syntax highlighting, intelligent code completion, built-in debuggers, project management support, and integration with version control systems like Git and SVN.

To use the Eclipse IDE, you need to install it first. Below are the steps to download it.

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Steps to Download and Install Eclipse on Windows

Follow the steps below to install Eclipse IDE on your Windows system.

Step 1: Download Eclipse Installer

1. Open a web browser.

2. Go to the official Eclipse website: https://www.eclipse.org/downloads/

Then click on download as shown below.

3. Click on the Download x86_64 button (Eclipse Installer for Windows 64-bit).

4. Save the file (e.g., eclipse-inst-jre-win64.exe) to a known folder.

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Step 2: Run the Eclipse Installer

1. Navigate to the folder where the installer is saved.

2. Double-click on the eclipse-inst-jre-win64.exe file.

3. If prompted by User Account Control (UAC), click Yes.

Step 3: Choose Eclipse IDE for Java Developers

1. When the Eclipse Installer opens, you’ll see multiple package options.

2. Click on “Eclipse IDE for Java Developers.”
(Other options are for C++, Enterprise Java, Web, etc.)

Step 4: Choose Installation Folder

1. Choose an installation path (default is fine): C:Users<YourName>eclipsejava-<version>

2. You can:

• Tick Create start menu entry, which adds the Eclipse IDE to your start menu.

• Tick Create a desktop shortcut, which adds the Eclipse IDE icon to your Desktop directly.

3. Click Install

Step 5: Accept Licenses and Install

1. Review the Eclipse Foundation Software User Agreement.

2. Click Accept Now to proceed.

3. The installer will download and install the required files. This may take a few minutes, depending on your internet speed.

Step 6: Launch Eclipse

1. Once installation is complete, click on Launch.

2. On first run, it will ask for the workspace location: C:Users<YourName>eclipse-workspace. (You can leave it as the default.)

3. Click on Launch

Step 7: Welcome to Eclipse IDE

1. You should now see the Eclipse Welcome screen.

2. Select a Directory as a workspace, which uses a workspace folder to store your projects, configuration files, and so on.

3. The checkbox Use this as the default and do not ask again will always use this folder for future launches if checked, and work with multiple workspaces if not checked.

Note: For better convenience, check the checkbox Use this as the default and do not ask again.

You can:

• Close the welcome tab
• Go to File and create a new project to start coding

How to Write Your First Java Program?

Once Eclipse IDE is installed and launched, follow these steps to create and run your very first Java program.

Step 1: Create a New Java Project

1. Go to File, New, and then Java Project

2. In the popup, keep your project name as Intellpaat, and leave the other settings as defaults

3. Then, click Finish

Note: If you don’t see “Java Project,” go to File, New, Project, Java, Java Project, and then click Next

Step 2: Create a Java Class File

1. Right-click on the src folder in your new project, New, Class

2. In the dialog box, keep the name of the program as HelloWorld, and check the box public static void main(String[] args)

3. Click Finish

This creates a .java file with a main() method, which serves as the entry point for your program.

Step 3: Write Your Java Code

In the HelloWorld.java file, type the following:

public class HelloWorld {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        System.out.println("Hello, World! by Intellipaat");
    }
}

You can also modify the default code that Eclipse provides automatically.

Step 4: Run the Java Program

You can run the Java program in the following ways:

1. Click the green play button (▶) on the top toolbar, or

2. Right-click on the file in the Project Explorer, Run As, Java Application

Step 5: View the Output

The Console window at the bottom of Eclipse will display

System Requirements For Eclipse IDE

Before installing Eclipse, make sure that your system meets the following hardware and software requirements.

1. Operating System Requirements

Eclipse is a cross-platform IDE, but when you are using it on Windows, there are some specific OS requirements as below, to ensure compatibility and performance.

Eclipse only supports a 64-bit OS because Eclipse requires a 64-bit operating system to match the 64-bit Java JDK and Eclipse IDE package, but older 32-bit builds do exist.

2. RAM (Memory)

RAM is important to Eclipse IDE performance when working with larger projects or plugins like Maven, Gradle, Spring, or Web Tools. The minimum requirement of RAM for the Eclipse IDE is as follows:

3. JRE or JDK

Eclipse IDE is built on Java and requires a JRE or a JDK to run, but to write and compile Java code, a JDK is necessary because Eclipse requires a JDK to compile Java code, and a JRE to run it.

Note: JDK 21 is the most recommended version supported by the latest Eclipse IDE.

Do you need to install Java Before Installing Eclipse?

Yes, you need to install Java before installing Eclipse because Eclipse itself is a Java-based IDE, which means it depends on Java to run programs. If you plan to use Eclipse for Java development, you must have the Java Development Kit (JDK) installed, not just the Java Runtime Environment (JRE). Because JRE allows you to run Java applications, and JDK includes additional tools such as the Java compiler (javac), which is used to compile your source code.

Famous Plugins Used in Eclipse IDE

There are many famous plugins used in the Eclipse IDE. Some of them are:

1. EGit

EGit stands for Git Integration for Eclipse, which is used to seamlessly integrate Git version control in the Eclipse IDE, such as clone, commit, pull, push, and so on, without leaving the Eclipse IDE. It saves time of the user by avoiding command-line Git usage, and manages source code versions within a team.

2. M2E

M2E (Maven to Eclipse) integrates Apache Maven into Eclipse for building and dependency management. This plugin enables Eclipse to understand your pom.xml files and sync your Maven project with the Eclipse classpath. It supports project packaging, testing, and deployment, and also enables consistent builds across different environments.

3. Gradle IDE Plugin

Gradle is a modern build tool used in many Java projects for Gradle-based builds. This plugin allows you to import and sync your Gradle project within the Eclipse environment. It is useful for Spring Boot projects and Android-based applications that use Gradle.

4. STS

Spring Tool Suite is a plugin that enhances the Eclipse IDE with features required for Spring Boot, Spring Core, Spring MVC, Spring Security, and many other Spring Modules. It provides project templates, auto-completion of Spring annotations, and development of complex Spring applications.

Best Practices for Using Eclipse Efficiently

Below are some best practices for using Eclipse efficiently:

1. Use the Right Eclipse Package: Eclipse has many other packages for specific development needs. For example, if you are using the Eclipse IDE for working with Java, download the Eclipse IDE for Java Developers and ensure that you have a pre-installed JDK installed on your device.

2. Organize Your Workspace: You should create a separate workspace for different types of work, like personal, client, and college purposes. Also, use meaningful project names that show the clear purpose of the project.

3. Use Keyboard Shortcuts: Instead of navigating menus and using the mouse, you can use the following shortcuts to speed up your work

• Ctrl + Shift + R to quickly open any file.
• Ctrl + Shift + T to open Java classes by name.
• Ctrl + 1 to show quick fixes in your code.
• Ctrl + Shift + F to automatically format your code.

4. Keep Eclipse and JDK Updated: Eclipse IDE regularly releases updates of its versions for its stability and performance. Hence, it is important to keep your Eclipse IDE updated. You can check for updates by going to Help and then Check for Updates.

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Conclusion

From the above guide, we learned that Eclipse IDE is an open-source and free tool used mainly for software development, by beginners and advanced developers. It is mainly built for the Java programming language. To start with the Eclipse IDE, there is a need for JDK, and your device should meet the system requirements of the Eclipse IDE as stated above. It has many plugins that make your work easier and efficient, like M2E, STS, EGit, and so on. Further, some rules and practices should be used by a person to use Eclipse IDE efficiently, like using shortcuts like Ctrl + Shift + R, Ctrl + Shift + T, and so on.

If you want to learn more about the Eclipse IDE, you can refer to our Java Course.

Eclipse IDE – FAQs