Experiences with IDEs and Java Teaching: What Works and What Doesn't: Eclipse

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Experiences with IDEs and Java Teaching What
Works and What Doesn't Eclipse

• Paul J. Wagner
• Thomas Moore
• University of Wisconsin Eau Claire
• ITiCSE 2003

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A Truly Integrated Tool
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Features (Release 2.1.0)

• Basic
• JDK development is well supported.
• Can be configured for development with either JDK
  1.3 or 1.4
• Function completion via Ctrl-spacebar is
  effective and nicely illustrates inheritance.
• Interactive error messages.
• Advanced - Many plugins that extend the Eclipse
  functionality
• CVS
• Database access
• UML Development
• More Advanced
• Can develop own plugins with built-in environment.

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Perspectives

• Each plugin typically has its own perspective
• Different set of windows.
• Can be identified by icon on left side of tool.
• Initially awkward, particularly if new
  perspective automatically appears resulting in
  a Where am I? problem for students.
• But, each perspective corresponds to a different
  task
• So each window corresponds to a subtask, which
  students readily understand.
• Each user can mix and match windows from
  different perspectives to create a comfortable
  environment.
• Changing perspectives is more easily done than
  changing tools.
• Its an Integrated DE.

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Pros

• Excellent integration of a number of desktop
  tools needed during development.
• Although initially an IBM product, developers do
  not have to sell their souls when using Eclipse.
• Our experience is that students often download
  and use Eclipse.
• Can be used to develop a plugin.
• We are currently using it for a project that will
  support development of online psychological
  surveys.
• Simple to install basic package.
• Make sure that a JDK 1.3, 1.4, or both, are
  available.
• Download zip file, unzip it, make shortcut to
  eclipse.exe.
• Choose Windows/Preferences/Installed JREs to
  add/set current JDK.
• Simple to install plugins.
• Download, copy to Plugins folder, set
  Preferences, go!

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Cons

• Resource hungry when using complex plugins
• Good with 2 GHz processor/1GB main memory.
• Not good with lesser machines.
• The plugin developers are well-meaning, but tools
  often lack full functionality needed.
• There is a hint of IBM soul-selling!

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IBM Variations (as long as your blood doesnt
turn blue)

• Check IBM Scholars program its free and
  unobtrusive.
• We have used IBM products since 1999.
• Visual Age
• Studio
• Will use Websphere Studio Application Developer
  (WSAD) 5.0 this year.
• EJB 3.0 and Struts 2.0 support
• Ports well to Websphere Application Server 5.0
• Can use Eclipse and WSAD simultaneously.

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More Information

• Main site at http//www.eclipse.org
• Check for plugins at
• http//eclipse-plugins.2y.net/eclipse/index.jsp
• IBM Scholars Program at
• http//www-3.ibm.com/software/info/university
• IBM Plugins at http//www7b.boulder.ibm.com/wsdd/d
  ownloads/plugin