Eclipse Cookbook

3.1. Speeding Up the JDT Editor

Problem

As you enter code in the JDT editor, windows flash, wavy red lines appear under text, and red boxes appear in rulers, among other annoying distractions.

Solution

You can turn off many automatic syntax and problem-checking features to speed code entry.

Discussion

Although Eclipse provides a host of automatic syntax and problem-checking features, sometimes those features can be annoying. Fortunately, Eclipse is almost endlessly customizable. Here are some of the more common auto-checking features people find distracting, along with tips for dealing with them:

Problem indicators that appear while you’re typing

Turn off by selecting Window→ Preferences→ Java→ Editor→ Annotations, and then uncheck all checkboxes.

The overview ruler

Hide by selecting Window→ Preferences→ Java→ Editor→ Appearance→ Show Overview Ruler, and then uncheck the appropriate checkbox.

Outline synchronization

Turn off by selecting Window→ Preferences→ Java→ Editor→ Appearance→ Synchronize Outline Selection on Cursor Move, and then uncheck the appropriate checkbox.

Eclipse 3.0

Smart insert mode is another automatic feature, new in Eclipse 3.0, which you can turn on and off. This is the mode in which Eclipse does things for you automatically as you type, such as adding a closing quote to strings, adding closing braces, and so on. You can toggle smart insert mode on and off in Eclipse 3.0 by pressing the Insert key, which cycles you through the overwrite and insert modes (which Eclipse ...