Eclipse Cookbook

1.7. Mastering the Java Perspective

Problem

What is the Java perspective, and what can I use it for?

Solution

You can see the parts of the Java perspective, as presented by the Eclipse JDT, in Figure 1-8. The Java perspective is showing FirstApp, the project we’ve been developing over the previous few recipes (you can see this project in the Package Explorer on the left side of the figure).

Figure 1-8. The Java perspective

Discussion

This is the main perspective you use for Java development; if you’re going to be using Eclipse on a daily basis, this is the perspective you’ll be staring at a lot. In other words, this is your development environment.

Tip

You also can open the Java perspective at any time by selecting Window→ Open Perspective→ Java.

Take a look at the Java perspective in Figure 1-8. At the top of this perspective are the standard workbench menu bars and toolbars, now populated with the items for the Java perspective. You’re going to get familiar with those items in this and in coming chapters.

Tip

You move the toolbars in Eclipse by dragging them. If you don’t want to move the toolbars inadvertently, select Window→ Lock the Toolbars.

On the left side of Figure 1-8, you see the Package Explorer and Hierarchy views stacked on top of each other. You can use the tabs at the bottom to flip between these two views.

The Package Explorer view is especially important for Java programming ...