Eclipse IDE installation

Hi ,

I have downloaded eclipse.

But when I try to install it and clicked on the exe file , it executes, but I am unable to see any installation or unable to launch it.

What could be wrong..please help...I am new to Java.

Thanks in advance.

Many people, myself included, think that if you are new to Java you oughtn't to use Eclipse. You have enough to learn with Java without having to learn Eclipse as well. Leave the IDEs until you are more experienced.

But if you insist on using Eclipse, try Campbell's cheat technique, which I have only got to work on Windows.

Make sure you have the Java PATH set up correctly; you should be able to write java -version at any command prompt and get a sensible reply, preferably 1.6.0_05.

Create a suitable folder to put the downloaded Eclipse file in.

Unzip Eclipse

Find the eclipse.exe icon, which is round and blue.

Right-drag it onto the desktop and release the mouse.

Click either "copy here" or "make shortcut here"

You now have a round blue icon on the desktop. Double-click that.

Most likely reason you aren't getting it to work: you haven't set up the PATH for your Java installation. Find the installation instructions (here for Windows) and go down to the bit about setting the PATH. Probably easiest to set it permanently.

CR
[edit: bit added]If "copy here" doesn't work try "make shortcut" and vice versa.[/edit]
[ March 22, 2008: Message edited by: Campbell Ritchie ]

I've logged off and gone to Windows to check. I think you are better off using "make shortcut" than "copy."

I would strongly recommend specifying the JRE and not relying on the JAVA_HOME environment variable. One way to do this is to use the -vm argument in the shortcut like this.

c:\eclipse\eclipse -vm c:\jre\bin\javaw.exe

Another way is to create a text file named eclipse.ini in the same folder as eclipse.exe with these contents:

-vm
c:/jre/bin/javaw.exe

Hi Peeru,

Eclipse does not need to install. To make it run, try

1. Unzip your Eclipse zip file, e.g. to C:\eclipse
2. set JAVA_HOME environment variable in your Windows environmentt to JDK you installed.
3. Click C:\eclipse\eclipse.exe will launch eclipse

Hope this helps,
Calson
SCJP, SCWCD, SCBCD

adding to what campbell suggested:

You can right click on the "eclipse.exe" and select "Send To" menu option and in which you choose "Desktop (create shortcut)" ! - it does the same.

Yes, all it needs is the Java executable to start eclipse. The other ranchers have given the alternatives. Hopefully it should go through!