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where do I start with this project [message #1724566]

Wed, 24 February 2016 16:54

Jim Abernathy

Messages: 4
Registered: February 2016

Junior Member

I've only played with the tutorials so far, but I want to start down the right path.

I have an old Java 6 web server application I didn't develop but use. It uses GWT 2.4.0

I build it with an Ant build.xml file.
I deploy it to either tomcat 7 or jetty 6.1.23
While it run internal behind a firewall, I'll like to upgrade the software so it's safer if deployed external.

I wonder if I could use Eclipse to debug changes and to test it within the IDE?

editing files and running Ant is a very old way of doing things.

Any advice would be appreciated.

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Re: where do I start with this project [message #1724612 is a reply to message #1724566]

Wed, 24 February 2016 21:07

Russell Bateman

Messages: 3798
Registered: July 2009
Location: Provo, Utah, USA

Senior Member

On 02/24/2016 11:18 AM, Jim Abernathy wrote:
> I've only played with the tutorials so far, but I want to start down the
> right path.
>
> I have an old Java 6 web server application I didn't develop but use.
> It uses GWT 2.4.0
>
> I build it with an Ant build.xml file.
> I deploy it to either tomcat 7 or jetty 6.1.23
> While it run internal behind a firewall, I'll like to upgrade the
> software so it's safer if deployed external.
>
> I wonder if I could use Eclipse to debug changes and to test it within
> the IDE?
>
> editing files and running Ant is a very old way of doing things.
>
> Any advice would be appreciated.

First, there's nothing wrong with ant. Sure, we're using Maven or Gradle
now, but there's nothing wrong with it and for what you want to do, at
least at first, don't waste your time fixing what ain't broke.

Yes, you can use Eclipse to debug your web application. Download and
install Eclipse IDE for Java EE Developers.

I've never used GWT, but I don't see why this would be a problem.

Use Tomcat 7 and set up a server.

I've got some cursory notes (that are old-ish) you're welcome to peruse
at http://www.javahotchocolate.com/notes/tomcat-eclipse.html to help you
set up Tomcat, but if you've got time, likely Lars Vogel's tutorial at
http://www.vogella.com/tutorials/EclipseWTP/article.html is worth
pursuing. (You say you've played with tutorials, but which ones and to
do what? Check Lars' out: they're the best.)

The best forum for help developing web applications in Java on Eclipse
is the Eclipse WTP forum.

Hope this helps.

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Re: where do I start with this project [message #1724711 is a reply to message #1724566]

Thu, 25 February 2016 14:16

Jim Abernathy

Messages: 4
Registered: February 2016

Junior Member

Thanks for your reply to my question. I will review your suggested tutorial. I'd like to see if I can create a workspace using the Ant Build file. Would that help get things working faster? The Ant build file has pointers to the GWT locations an other paths.

FYI, I had a bitch of a time logging back in to post this reply. Not sure if the forum login screen was having issues or not.

Jim A

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Re: where do I start with this project [message #1724722 is a reply to message #1724711]

Thu, 25 February 2016 15:02

Russell Bateman

Messages: 3798
Registered: July 2009
Location: Provo, Utah, USA

Senior Member

On 02/25/2016 07:16 AM, Jim Abernathy wrote:
> Thanks for your reply to my question. I will review your suggested
> tutorial. I'd like to see if I can create a workspace using the Ant
> Build file. Would that help get things working faster? The Ant build
> file has pointers to the GWT locations an other paths.
> FYI, I had a bitch of a time logging back in to post this reply. Not
> sure if the forum login screen was having issues or not.
>
> Jim A

Workspaces aren't created or built with ant. They are merely places in
the filesystem for gathering the roots of projects. You create a
workspace (or multiple ones) and tell Eclipse where it is before
beginning to create or import project code.

Paths that lead outside the Eclipse project are problematic and
frustrating for several reasons, but there's nothing that keeps that
from working. Later on, you'll want to abandon how things are done in
this piece of code you are working with and do things "right", but
that's not crucial right now.

Russ

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Re: where do I start with this project [message #1724733 is a reply to message #1724722]

Thu, 25 February 2016 15:56

Eric Rizzo

Messages: 3070
Registered: July 2009

Senior Member

You can import a project (not a workspace) from an Ant build file. Select File > New > Project... > Java Project from Existing Ant Buildfile. Depending on how unusual or complex the existing Ant script is, it may not configure the Eclipse project completely; but it's still a useful thing to try and can save you some manual project configuration work.

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Re: where do I start with this project [message #1724760 is a reply to message #1724733]

Thu, 25 February 2016 18:47

Jim Abernathy

Messages: 4
Registered: February 2016

Junior Member

I've seen the option for new project from existing Ant buildfile. My buildfile has a target for the WAR file, an addUser. jar, and a target that builds all.

Since the buildfile points to the GWT install location, I was wondering if I use the GWT plugin for Eclipse would that make it better by keeping everything inside eclipse?

Last question for today, since my stuff will run under Jetty or tomcat, would jetty be simpler since it's part of Eclipse?? (I think)

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Re: where do I start with this project [message #1724905 is a reply to message #1724760]

Fri, 26 February 2016 22:53

Eric Rizzo

Messages: 3070
Registered: July 2009

Senior Member

I'm afraid you're getting too far down into the weeds of your specific situation for me to help much more. In general I'd definitely try using the Eclipse GWT plugin(s), usually technology-specific tooling like that is very helpful.
As for the other question: Jetty's association with Eclipse is mostly one of governance and hosting of the project. Eclipse itself (the IDE) has no real preference for Jetty or anything else. I happen to MUCH prefer Jetty to Tomcat, and there is a nice Jetty Launcher plugin that make deploying to and debugging in Jetty easy. But other than the organizational relationship (and the fact that Jetty is shipped with Eclipse IDEs as the engine for the Help system), there's nothing special about Jetty as far as Eclipse is concerned.

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Re: where do I start with this project [message #1724942 is a reply to message #1724905]

Sat, 27 February 2016 12:46

Jim Abernathy

Messages: 4
Registered: February 2016

Junior Member

Eric Rizzo wrote on Fri, 26 February 2016 17:53

I'm afraid you're getting too far down into the weeds of your specific situation for me to help much more. In general I'd definitely try using the Eclipse GWT plugin(s), usually technology-specific tooling like that is very helpful...

Thanks for all your help. I think I have my starting point.

Jim A

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