eclipse and build.properties - what the heck is this?

[Frank Carver]

I was fiddling around with some code in eclispe, and thought I'd extract some configuration information into a properties file. As this information was related to the build process (destination directories, archive names etc.) I thought I'd name it "build.properties".

Imagine my surprise when, instead of opening my new file in the regulat text editor, like every other properties file I have ever created, Eclipse gave me some sort of strange build settings checklist. (see an image of what I mean)

Does it do this for anyone else?

If so, why, and what is it for?

And my usual question: how do I get it to stop doing it?

Thanks for any enlightenment

[Ilja Preuss]

Originally posted by Frank Carver:
If so, why, and what is it for?

I suspect that it is a standard file format used when developing Eclipse plugins.

And my usual question: how do I get it to stop doing it?

Temporarily: right click on the file, "open with..."

Permanently: Preferences/General/Editors/File Associations - select file type "build.properties", choose a different default editor

[Frank Carver]

thanks

[Stefan Evans]

Another alternative:
See those two tabs down the bottom? Build and build.properties?

Clicking on the other tab will bring up the text version of the file.