Eclipe - JSEclipse - Revision history

PeterHarding at 01:37, 25 January 2008

2008-01-25T01:37:52Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:37, 25 January 2008
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	code. It includes the following features:		code. It includes the following features:

	\|> Code completion: The plug-in adds JavaScript contextual code		* Code completion: The plug-in adds JavaScript contextual code completion and shortcuts within the Eclipse IDE. This is a great feature given the fact that no developer can memorise every property and method
	completion and shortcuts within the Eclipse IDE. This is a great feature
	given the fact that no developer can memorise every property and method
	and all JavaScript objects.		and all JavaScript objects.
	\|> Outline and navigation: JavaScript code and function declarations are		* Outline and navigation: JavaScript code and function declarations are easily traversed with project outlines.
	easily traversed with project outlines.		* Syntax highlighting: This feature provides a color coding scheme for various elements in JavaScript like comments, keywords, constants, and strings. You can also define custom color schemes.
	\|> Syntax highlighting: This feature provides a color coding scheme for		* Error reporting: You can easily locate code errors with the error reporting features of JSEclipse.
	various elements in JavaScript like comments, keywords, constants, and		* Templates: You can create and customize code templates to provide a starting point for current and future projects.
	strings. You can also define custom color schemes.		* Library support: JSEclipse supports popular JavaScript libraries such as Dojo, Prototype, Spry, and YUI, so you can integrate them in your project and easily access and use their features.
	\|> Error reporting: You can easily locate code errors with the error		* Documentation: The JavaDoc documentation syntax is supported within your code comments.
	reporting features of JSEclipse.		* Product support: Given that it is an Adobe product, JSEclipse is fully compatible with the Adobe Flex Builder 2 offering.
	\|> Templates: You can create and customize code templates to provide a
	starting point for current and future projects.
	\|> Library support: JSEclipse supports popular JavaScript libraries such
	as Dojo, Prototype, Spry, and YUI, so you can integrate them in your
	project and easily access and use their features.
	\|> Documentation: The JavaDoc documentation syntax is supported within
	your code comments.
	\|> Product support: Given that it is an Adobe product, JSEclipse is fully
	compatible with the Adobe Flex Builder 2 offering.


	==Impressions==		==Impressions==

PeterHarding at 01:36, 25 January 2008

2008-01-25T01:36:22Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:36, 25 January 2008
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	Develop JavaScript with the JSEclipse plug-in		= Develop JavaScript with the JSEclipse plug-in =
	Tony Patton, TechRepublic		Tony Patton, TechRepublic



	JavaScript developers have been clamoring for development tools for years.		JavaScript developers have been clamoring for development tools for years.
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	development platform. It provides a full-featured development environment		development platform. It provides a full-featured development environment
	for working with JavaScript. Here's an examination of JSEclipse, as well		for working with JavaScript. Here's an examination of JSEclipse, as well
	as the Eclipse platform.		as the Eclipse platform.



	Eclipse		==Eclipse==

	In 1998, IBM began creating a development tools platform that eventually		In 1998, IBM began creating a development tools platform that eventually
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	systems.		systems.

	JSEclipse		==JSEclipse==

	JSEclipse has been around for quite some time; it was originally developed		JSEclipse has been around for quite some time; it was originally developed
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	Impressions		==Impressions==

	As a longtime developer with such tools as NetBeans, Visual Studio, and		As a longtime developer with such tools as NetBeans, Visual Studio, and
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	and tasks. The following list provides a sampling of what is available:		and tasks. The following list provides a sampling of what is available:

	\|> Amateras Html Editor: While the current version of Eclipse provides		* Amateras Html Editor: While the current version of Eclipse provides XML support, this tool adds CSS and HTML, along with XML support to the IDE.
	XML support, this tool adds CSS and HTML, along with XML support to the		* ASDT: Allows ActionScript developers to use Eclipse for the development projects.
	IDE.		* EPIC: Brings Perl support to Eclipse.
	\|> ASDT: Allows ActionScript developers to use Eclipse for the		* PHPEclipse: Lets you develop PHP code within Eclipse.
	development projects.		* Subclipse: Version control system for use with Eclipse.
	\|> EPIC: Brings Perl support to Eclipse.
	\|> PHPEclipse: Lets you develop PHP code within Eclipse.
	\|> Subclipse: Version control system for use with Eclipse.


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	(http://www.eclipseplugincentral.com/).		(http://www.eclipseplugincentral.com/).

	Conclusion		==Conclusion==

	The JSEclipse plug-in is a viable option for JavaScript developers who are		The JSEclipse plug-in is a viable option for JavaScript developers who are
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	into a whole new environment with Eclipse may not be best for you.		into a whole new environment with Eclipse may not be best for you.

	[[Category:Development]]		[[Category:Articles]][[Category:Development]]

PeterHarding at 01:28, 25 January 2008

2008-01-25T01:28:22Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:28, 25 January 2008
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	If you are content with your current Web development tools, then diving		If you are content with your current Web development tools, then diving
	into a whole new environment with Eclipse may not be best for you.		into a whole new environment with Eclipse may not be best for you.

			[[Category:Development]]

PeterHarding: New page: Develop JavaScript with the JSEclipse plug-in Tony Patton, TechRepublic JavaScript developers have been clamoring for development tools for years. Tools like Firebug and Venkman answer ...

2007-12-12T02:49:50Z

New page: Develop JavaScript with the JSEclipse plug-in Tony Patton, TechRepublic JavaScript developers have been clamoring for development tools for years. Tools like Firebug and Venkman answer ...

New page

Develop JavaScript with the JSEclipse plug-in
Tony Patton, TechRepublic

JavaScript developers have been clamoring for development tools for years.
Tools like Firebug and Venkman answer the call, but there are more options
available.

Adobe Labs offers another option with the JSEclipse add-on for the Eclipse
development platform. It provides a full-featured development environment
for working with JavaScript. Here's an examination of JSEclipse, as well
as the Eclipse platform.

Eclipse

In 1998, IBM began creating a development tools platform that eventually
became known as Eclipse. The goal was the creation of a common platform
for development products to avoid duplicating the most common elements of
infrastructure. The first product release included a Java IDE, as well as
the broader platform to go with it.

In 2001, it was made open source with the creation of the Eclipse
consortium. It has evolved into the industry's major non-Microsoft
software tool platform. It is a powerful tool for building Web and Java
applications. It was built using Java, so that is its one main
requirement. An added benefit is its availability on most operating
systems.

JSEclipse

JSEclipse has been around for quite some time; it was originally developed
by a company called Interakt, which was acquired by Adobe. Its support and
development is now handled by Adobe Labs.

JSEclipse is an add-on for the Eclipse platform; it requires an Eclipse
installation. It is installed via the software updates area of Eclipse. It
is available as a free download once you register with the site. Once it
has been installed, a JSEclipse menu is available within the Eclipse IDE
when working with source code.

The focus of the JSEclipse tool is the creating and editing of JavaScript
code. It includes the following features:

|> Code completion: The plug-in adds JavaScript contextual code
completion and shortcuts within the Eclipse IDE. This is a great feature
given the fact that no developer can memorise every property and method
and all JavaScript objects.
|> Outline and navigation: JavaScript code and function declarations are
easily traversed with project outlines.
|> Syntax highlighting: This feature provides a color coding scheme for
various elements in JavaScript like comments, keywords, constants, and
strings. You can also define custom color schemes.
|> Error reporting: You can easily locate code errors with the error
reporting features of JSEclipse.
|> Templates: You can create and customize code templates to provide a
starting point for current and future projects.
|> Library support: JSEclipse supports popular JavaScript libraries such
as Dojo, Prototype, Spry, and YUI, so you can integrate them in your
project and easily access and use their features.
|> Documentation: The JavaDoc documentation syntax is supported within
your code comments.
|> Product support: Given that it is an Adobe product, JSEclipse is fully
compatible with the Adobe Flex Builder 2 offering.

Impressions

As a longtime developer with such tools as NetBeans, Visual Studio, and
Eclipse for Java development, I prefer the look and feel of a
full-featured development environment that lets me easily work with
project-oriented development. Also, a robust IDE provides
context-sensitive help, as well as a full help system when your memory
fails to recall the name of an object or its properties. The separate
section at the bottom of the Eclipse interface provides real-time feedback
on code problems, including the line number and an intuitive description of
the project.

The installation of both Eclipse and JSEclipse are simple and
straightforward. Downloads are available for most operating systems, which
is another great feature since you are not restricted to the Windows
platform. The EasyEclipse offering provides a good starting point for
first-time users; it includes a variety of plug-ins to help you get up and
running.

A drawback of the JSEclipse plug-in is the separation from the rest of a
project I may be developing, as I work with .NET-based solutions and other
Web technologies. I can take advantage of other plug-ins to use Eclipse for
everything. One of the great features of the Eclipse platform is its
extensibility via its plug-in support. In addition to JSEclipse, there is
a variety of plug-ins available to accommodate most development languages
and tasks. The following list provides a sampling of what is available:

|> Amateras Html Editor: While the current version of Eclipse provides
XML support, this tool adds CSS and HTML, along with XML support to the
IDE.
|> ASDT: Allows ActionScript developers to use Eclipse for the
development projects.
|> EPIC: Brings Perl support to Eclipse.
|> PHPEclipse: Lets you develop PHP code within Eclipse.
|> Subclipse: Version control system for use with Eclipse.

As you can see, JSEclipse is not restricted to Java development. A more
thorough list is available online via Eclipse Plugin Central
(http://www.eclipseplugincentral.com/).

Conclusion

The JSEclipse plug-in is a viable option for JavaScript developers who are
familiar with Eclipse or have a desire to use the Eclipse platform.
JSEclipse provides an environment for developing and debugging custom
JavaScript code that may take advantage of freely available libraries. The
context-sensitive and online help are two of the best features because you
have everything you need at your fingertips (i.e., no running to the
bookshelf or performing Google searches).

If you are content with your current Web development tools, then diving
into a whole new environment with Eclipse may not be best for you.