Eclipse IDE installation and setup for android development
As of recent update in January 2022, Android Studio has become the official integrated development environment (IDE) for Android app development, and its usage is highly recommended. However, if you still prefer to use Eclipse for Android development, you can follow the steps below. Keep in mind that using Eclipse for Android development might not be as straightforward or well-supported as Android Studio.
Eclipse IDE Setup for Android Development:
- Download and Install Eclipse:
- Download the Eclipse IDE for Java Developers from the official Eclipse website: Eclipse Downloads.
- Choose the appropriate version based on your operating system and architecture (32-bit or 64-bit).
- Follow the installation instructions provided for your specific platform.
- Install the ADT Plugin (Android Developer Tools):
- Android Development Tools (ADT) is a plugin for Eclipse that provides tools for developing Android applications within the Eclipse IDE.
- Open Eclipse and go to “Help” > “Eclipse Marketplace.”
- In the “Eclipse Marketplace” dialog, search for “Android” in the “Find” field.
- Locate “Android Development Tools (ADT)” in the search results and click the “Go to the Marketplace” link.
- Click the “Install” button to begin the installation process.
- Follow the prompts in the installation wizard to complete the ADT plugin installation.
- Configure the Android SDK:
- Download the Android SDK from the official Android developer website: Android SDK Downloads.
- Extract the downloaded SDK package to a location on your computer.
- In Eclipse, go to “Window” > “Preferences” to open the preferences window.
- Navigate to “Android” in the left sidebar.
- Set the “SDK Location” to the path where you extracted the Android SDK.
- Create an Android Virtual Device (AVD):
- In Eclipse, go to “Window” > “Android Virtual Device Manager.”
- Click on “New” to create a new AVD.
- Configure the AVD settings, including the device type, target Android version, and hardware profile.
- Click “Finish” to create the AVD.
- Create a New Android Project:
- In Eclipse, go to “File” > “New” > “Project…”
- Choose “Android” from the project types and select “Android Project.”
- Click “Next” and follow the wizard to set up your Android project, including specifying the project name, package name, and target Android version.
- Write and Run Your First App:
- Write the necessary Java code for your Android app.
- Right-click on the project in the Project Explorer, select “Run As,” and choose “Android Application.”
Important Note:
- Keep in mind that using Eclipse for Android development might not provide the same level of support, features, and integration as Android Studio, which is the officially recommended IDE by Google for Android development.
- The Android development ecosystem has evolved, and many features and improvements are specifically designed for Android Studio. Consider transitioning to Android Studio for a more seamless and well-supported development experience.