Ubuntu Linux: Install Eclipse Java Integrated Development Environment

Q. How do I install Eclipse integrated development environment and write first program under Ubuntu Linux Eclipse IDE?

A. Eclipse is free and open source integrated development environment (IDE) software. You need to install Java JDK and JRE before installing Eclipse.

Install Sun JDK and JRE

Open terminal and type the following commands to install Sun Java JDK and JRE:
$ sudo apt-get install sun-java6-bin sun-java6-jre sun-java6-jdk
$ sudo vi /etc/jvm
Add following line at the top:
/usr/lib/jvm/java-6-sun
Set up environment:
$ echo 'export JAVA_HOME=/usr/lib/jvm/java-6-sun' >> ~/.bash_profile
$ echo 'export PATH=$PATH:$JAVA_HOME/bin' >> ~/.bash_profile
$ . ~/.bash_profile
Make sure you see correct JAVA version:
$ java -version
Sample output:

java version "1.6.0_06"
Java(TM) SE Runtime Environment (build 1.6.0_06-b02)
Java HotSpot(TM) Server VM (build 10.0-b22, mixed mode)

Install Eclipse

Type the following command to install extensible Tool Platform, Java IDE, Java Development Tools plug-ins for Eclipse:
$ sudo apt-get install eclipse eclipse-jdt

How do I start eclipse?

Click on Applications > Programming > Eclipse
OR type the following command at shell prompt:
$ eclipse &
You should see an eclipse splash screen followed by workspace launcher:

Fig.01: Eclipse IDE workspace Launcher

Your first java program using Eclipse

Click Ok to load IDE. Close welcome screen. Click on Windows > Open perspective > Select Java .

Step # 1: Create a project

You need to create a project to put all .java and related project files. Click on File > New > Project > Select Java Project

Fig.01: Creating first java project

Click Next > Type Project name "HelloWorld" > Click on Finish:

Fig.02: HelloWorld Project

Step # 3: Create a new class

Now you need add a new class called HelloWorld. Click on File > New > Class > Set class name to "HelloWorld" > Select the checkbox to create the main() method > click Finish button:

Fig.03: Adding your first class called HelloWorld

Step # 3: Type the code

Type the following code inside main() method:

System.out.println("Hello world!\n");

Fig.04: Your first java program using Eclipse Java IDE

Press CTRL + S to save program (or visit File > Save option).

Step # 4: Run your first java application

To run your program Select HelloWorld.java from left panel. Click on Run > Run As > Java Application :

Fig.05: Java program output at the bottom of IDE

The Console view should appear at the bottom of the IDE to display the "Hello, world!" output.