Thread: eclipse problem

I don't normally use eclipse, but I wanted to use it to debug my code. I have an existing program that runs fine from the commandline but when I try to run it from eclipse it all I get is errors about how it can't find the class. I tried different workspaces and different project folders but it just won't work. What I normally do from the commandline is to navigate to the 'projects' folder then type java stuff.collision.CollisionTest to run it. The CollisionTest.class file is in the 'collision' folder in the 'stuff' folder in the 'projects' folder and CollisionTest.java is in the 'stuff.collision' package. I tried setting to workspace to 'projects', the folder containing 'projects' and 'stuff' and creating a new project from 'projects', 'stuff' and 'collision' in various combinations. When I try to run it, I get a menu about run configuration, after slecting java application, I tried to put 'CollisionTest' and 'stuff.collision.CollisionTest' as the main class but neither worked. How can I get this to work?

You have a project in the Workspace? If not, create a new Java Project. Call it whatever you like. A naming standard is a 'backwards' URL, something like, 'org.apache.tomcat', (com.harryblargle.javapractice), but you decide.

Inside the new project will be a source folder called 'src'. You can put default source code there, meaning source code that doesn't belong to a specific package. Or you can right click on the project and select, New, Package. To be consistent with your current naming, you may want to name the new package, 'stuff.collision'. Select 'Finish'.

Right click your new package and select New, Class. Name your class CollisionTest. Select Finish.

Copy your existing class, CollisionTest, into the new Class you just created, replacing everything. A package statement:

package stuff.collision;

should have come from your existing source. If not, add it.

You should be able to compile and run the resulting class. If not, describe any errors you're getting and unable to solve.

Oh, I forgot you asked about the "Run configurations." Select Java Application. Since my setup is slightly different, let me know if you see something else you don't know what to do with.

You can also import existing code into a project, so you may want to play with that using File, Import.

Thanks, copying everthing into a new project worked. Not very practical but at least I can use the debugger now.

When (if) you get smarter at using Eclipse, you might find better ways to do the same thing.