6.005 — Software Construction
**This document is a work in progress.** Use Piazza to suggest further Eclipse tips and tricks we might include.
## Resources [**Java Debugging with Eclipse**](http://www.vogella.com/tutorials/EclipseDebugging/article.html) introduces Eclipse's debug mode, a recommended tool for tracking down bugs using breakpoints. This step-by-step tutorial explains the *Debug perspective* and provides screenshots to decode the mysterious debugger icons in Eclipse. ## FAQ ### I messed up my Eclipse and it doesn't show all the things it used to show
Open Perspective, Java, Debug
First, make sure you are in the *Java perspective*: in the top right corner of the window, click the **Open Perspective** toolbar button and select **Java**. If your Java perspective doesn't look right, go to **Window** → **Reset Perspective** to return to the Eclipse defaults. ## Tips & Tricks ### Navigating
Open Declaration and Open Implementation
Command-click (on Mac) or control-click to **jump straight to the definition** of a variable, field, method, class, etc. Return to the previous file you were working on with **Navigate → Back**, which might have keyboard shortcut Alt--left-arrow or Command - [. Eclipse's *Navigate Back* and *Forward* are analogous to the back and forward buttons in your web browser. Command- (or control-) -shift-R and command-shift-T bring up a dialog for quickly searching for and **navigating to files** (a.k.a. resources) **and types** (classes), respectively.
### Editing
Enter new name, press return to refactor
Select an element and use ***Refactor → Rename*** (or its keyboard shortcut) to rename that variable, field, method, class, etc. wherever it appears. Take advantage of **code completion** to help you use a new API: if you have an object `squiggle`, typing the name and then a period will bring up code completion options. Use **Source → Organize Imports** or command- (or control-) -shift-O to automatically add and organize Java import statements. Just start using a new class, *Organize Imports*, and you're good to go. Don't like formatting and indenting your code manually? Use ***Source → Format*** to clean up your act. Use **Source → Toggle Comment** or keyboard shortcut Command - / to quickly toggle on or off some lines of code. Use [**block selection**](http://blog.jooq.org/2013/10/12/eclipses-awesome-block-selection-mode/) to edit across multiple lines at once. ---- ### Have fun in 6.005!