Download Options: Eclipse SDK, Eclipse Platform Runtime Binary & Eclipse Platform SDK

Eclipse SDK The Eclipse SDK includes source, binary, user-guide and programmer documentation of the following components:

1. The Eclipse Platform,
2. Java development tools,
3. Plug-in Development Environment,

However, Eclipse SDK does not include a Java runtime environment (JRE). Developer should download package (Eclipse SDK) and install other required plug-ins using Update Manager. Eclipse Platform (Runtime Binary And SDK) Eclipse Platform can be downloaded seprately in two versions:

1. Platform Runtime Binary: It contains the binary of Eclipse platform. Source & documentations are not included in this version.
2. Platform SDK: This version includes the platform runtime binary, source and programmer documentation.

Java development tools are created using Eclipse Platform SDK. Eclipse 3.2.2 is available for download at this link: http://download.eclipse.org/eclipse/downloads/drops/R-3.2.2-200702121330/index.php

Difference between java.exe and javaw.exe

Both commands (java.exe and javaw.exe) are identical. The only difference is that java.exe is associated with a console (Command Prompt), where as javaw.exe is not associated. When java.exe command is invoked, a 'Command Prompt' window is opened automatically. By default, Standard Output and Standard Error streams are directed to the console window. Since javaw.exe is not associated with any console, the text in Standard Output and Standard Error streams is not visible. However, these streams can be directed to a file by using the methods System.setOut(…) and System.setErr(…).

How to run Eclipse?

When you unzip the Eclipse SDK, it creates a base install directory called eclipse. The directory layout looks something like this: eclipse/

1. features/ ''the directory containing Eclipse features''
2. plugins/ ''the directory containing Eclipse plugins''
3. eclipse.exe ''platform executable''
4. cpl-v10.html ''the CPL license''
5. install.ini
6. jre/ ''the JRE to run Eclipse with'' (This may not be present)
7. notice.html
8. readme
9. startup.jar ''classes needed to start the platform''

If available under the eclipse/jre directory, the Eclipse JRE will be used; otherwise the launcher will consult the JAVA_HOME system path variable. To explicitly specify a JVM of your choice, you can use the -vm command line argument: eclipse -vm c:/jre/bin/javaw.exe Another option is to put startup configuration into an eclipse.ini file. The Eclipse program launcher will read arguments from either the command-line or the configuration file named eclipse.ini. To specify a JVM using configuration file, create a text file named eclipse.ini in the same folder as eclipse.exe with these contents: -vm c:/jre/bin/javaw.exe You should always use -vm so you can be sure of what VM you are using. Installers for other applications sometimes modify the JAVA_HOME variable, thus changing the VM used to launch Eclipse without your knowing about it.