This years' annual release of eclipse is set to be released on June 23rd. This release corresponds to eclipse 3.6 version and is code named as Helios. In greek mythology, the Sun was personified as Helios. So after Callisto, Europa, Ganymede and Galileo the astronomy connection is still maintained.
While checking out the Helios release I came across some new features that eclipse has put in. I picked few that relate to what I do, this is by no means the complete list. If you feel the list should be different, you are free create your own...
The Extract Method refactoring now handles selections that contain continue statements. To preserve the semantics of the existing code, the selection needs to include the last statement of the loop. In the extracted method, continue statements are changed to return. For a selection that would need multiple return values in the extracted method, Eclipse now lists the conflicting variables in the error message.
Pick 2: Edit test method in JUnit launch configuration
Pick 4: Breakpoints view shows details
The breakpoints view now shows all the details for the breakpoints in the same pane which earlier we had to go to Breakpoint properties and change from the dialog that pops up.
Pick 5: Package Explorer decoration for build path errors
The Package Explorer and Project Explorer views now show a new build path decorator on Java projects and working sets that contain build path errors.
Pick 6: Package names in Java views can now be abbreviated with custom rules.
Package names in Java views can be abbreviated using rules configured via preferences. The same rule would work for package explorer and project explorer.
To configure a rule go to "Window" -> Preferences -> "Java" -> "Appearance". Define the rule in the "Abbreviate package names" area.
Virtual folders are a new type of resource that exist only in the workspace and are not backed by a directory in your file system. These folders can be used to create more flexible project structures by bringing together links to files spread throughout your file system.
Since virtual folders do not exist in the local file system, they can only contain other virtual folders and linked resources.
The file system import wizard now supports creating virtual folders and linked files and folders.
Pick 8: Cancelling long-running operations in wizards
There is now a stop button adjacent to the progress bar when a wizard is running a long operation. You can press the stop button (or the Enter or Space key) to cancel the operation being shown in the progress bar.
Pick 9: Apply patch enabled for working sets
Now, the Apply Patch action is enabled for working sets if they are used as top-level elements in the explorer.
Pick 10: Internal API use reports
This one is probably most useful for people who develop plug-ins on top of eclipse framework. We all tend to use internal APIs at some point in our development. Once the development is over, the biggest nightmare is find out what internal APIs are being used and where. With 3.6, API use reports have been integrated as an external tool (Run, External Tools, External Tool Configurations...).
I'll keep posting as and when I find something interesting. There is no better experience than trying it yourself. So what are you waiting for, go ahead and have fun.
Pick 1: Refactoring improvements: Extract method changes and Move type to new File
I am a huge fan of refactoring tools. Somehow I can never manage to create the best set of methods at one go. Mostly I end up with atleast one block of code that simply begs to be refactored. While extracting methods previously we had to make sure we select a refactorable block of code. By refactorable I mean that it should have only one possible return value, else the refactoring within eclipse gives a popup and then leaves you to figure out the problem for yourself.The Extract Method refactoring now handles selections that contain continue statements. To preserve the semantics of the existing code, the selection needs to include the last statement of the loop. In the extracted method, continue statements are changed to return. For a selection that would need multiple return values in the extracted method, Eclipse now lists the conflicting variables in the error message.
Among the existing options the Convert Member Type to Top Level refactoring has been renamed to Move Type to New File and now allows any secondary type in a file to be moved into its own file. The action continues to work for member types.
When I write JUnits, I usually create a testcase and keep on adding test methods to this testcase. Once the number of testcases grows it becomes irritating to run all of them especially if there are quite a few of them in the same test class. What is helpful with Helios is that you can run a single test during one run of JUnit. So if we wish just the latest one that we are working on can be run and we don't have to bother with running the rest. In JUnit launch configurations, you can now edit the test method. When the test method is empty, all the tests in the class will run. This feature would also be helpful to detect if any test has any side effects on the running of other test methods.
One thing to note though, the list of tests also shows the ignored ones, and there is no content assist but still the feature is in itself quite helpful.
One thing to note though, the list of tests also shows the ignored ones, and there is no content assist but still the feature is in itself quite helpful.
Pick 3: Debugging: Object instance count in Variables view
I personally think this feature is very useful while debugging legacy code. I have often faced the issue that heap size for a feature simply grows beyond control. To find out what is wrong, one way is the take a heap dump and analyse it for classes that have suspicious number of instances. The main pain point of this way is that you have to keep taking dumps and comparing them. Some tools do allow us to monitor a running Java application and my favorite is JConsole but still a way to monitor the instance count during debugging is very helpful in my opinion.
From the Helios version, the Variables view provides a new column displaying the number of instances corresponding to the concrete type of each variable. To display the column, select Layout > Select Columns... from the view's menu, and then select Instance Count from the Select Columns dialog. Note that instance counts are only available debugging on JavaSE-1.6 (or newer) and are not applicable to primitive types. Also the columns can be configured only when an instance of debugger is running. For an empty Variables view the menu to configure columns is not available. You can also display the instance count of a selected type in an editor or editor outline and selecting Instance Count... from the context menu. The result is displayed in a dialog.
From the Helios version, the Variables view provides a new column displaying the number of instances corresponding to the concrete type of each variable. To display the column, select Layout > Select Columns... from the view's menu, and then select Instance Count from the Select Columns dialog. Note that instance counts are only available debugging on JavaSE-1.6 (or newer) and are not applicable to primitive types. Also the columns can be configured only when an instance of debugger is running. For an empty Variables view the menu to configure columns is not available. You can also display the instance count of a selected type in an editor or editor outline and selecting Instance Count... from the context menu. The result is displayed in a dialog.
Pick 4: Breakpoints view shows details
The breakpoints view now shows all the details for the breakpoints in the same pane which earlier we had to go to Breakpoint properties and change from the dialog that pops up.
Pick 5: Package Explorer decoration for build path errors
The Package Explorer and Project Explorer views now show a new build path decorator on Java projects and working sets that contain build path errors.
Pick 6: Package names in Java views can now be abbreviated with custom rules.
Package names in Java views can be abbreviated using rules configured via preferences. The same rule would work for package explorer and project explorer.
To configure a rule go to "Window" -> Preferences -> "Java" -> "Appearance". Define the rule in the "Abbreviate package names" area.
Pick 7: Virtual folders
Virtual folders are a new type of resource that exist only in the workspace and are not backed by a directory in your file system. These folders can be used to create more flexible project structures by bringing together links to files spread throughout your file system.
Since virtual folders do not exist in the local file system, they can only contain other virtual folders and linked resources.
The file system import wizard now supports creating virtual folders and linked files and folders.
Pick 8: Cancelling long-running operations in wizards
There is now a stop button adjacent to the progress bar when a wizard is running a long operation. You can press the stop button (or the Enter or Space key) to cancel the operation being shown in the progress bar.
Pick 9: Apply patch enabled for working sets
Now, the Apply Patch action is enabled for working sets if they are used as top-level elements in the explorer.
Pick 10: Internal API use reports
This one is probably most useful for people who develop plug-ins on top of eclipse framework. We all tend to use internal APIs at some point in our development. Once the development is over, the biggest nightmare is find out what internal APIs are being used and where. With 3.6, API use reports have been integrated as an external tool (Run, External Tools, External Tool Configurations...).
I'll keep posting as and when I find something interesting. There is no better experience than trying it yourself. So what are you waiting for, go ahead and have fun.
Wonderful Blog...Well Written.....Useful Information....Nicely summarized....
ReplyDeleteBest Regards,
Pradyut.