Finding a Tool or Plugin to Automatically Recompile Java GUI Applications in Eclipse

Explore how to streamline your Java GUI application development in Eclipse with useful tips on recompilation and design handling effectively.
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This video is based on the question https://stackoverflow.com/q/70815571/ asked by the user 'Rob' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/17649724/ ) and on the answer https://stackoverflow.com/a/70871021/ provided by the user 'Yaza' ( https://stackoverflow.com/u/1431510/ ) at 'Stack Overflow' website. Thanks to these great users and Stackexchange community for their contributions.

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The Challenge of Recompiling Java GUI Applications in Eclipse

Working with Java GUI applications can often feel tedious, especially when utilizing IDEs like Eclipse which don’t automate recompilation the way that tools like nodemon do for Node.js. A common scenario developers face is refactoring code—which may disrupt the Design View in the Eclipse IDE. As a result, any changes cannot be previewed without manually restarting the application, slowing down the development process.

The Quest for Automation

A user reached out with this challenge, seeking a plugin or tool that detects changes and automatically restarts their application without manual effort. Unfortunately, no specific tool currently exists that fulfills this exact need in Eclipse. However, there are some alternative approaches worth exploring.



Solutions to Improve Your Development Workflow

1. Utilize Debug Mode

One potential method to alleviate the need for constant app restarts is to run your application in Debug mode. Here, you can introduce a refresh button within your UI to redraw the widgets as needed. However, keep in mind that this relies on the Java Virtual Machine (JVM)'s ability to re-initialize your classes and might not always provide a guarantee of success.

2. Create a Filesystem Monitor

If you are inclined towards a more technical workaround, consider creating a class that monitors the filesystem for any changes in your codebase. This class can be programmed to restart your application automatically whenever a change is detected. This solution, while viable, is also more complex and requires a deeper understanding of file I/O operations.

3. Redesign Your Application for Compatibility

The best advice, however, might be to rethink the design of your application to ensure better compatibility with WindowBuilder—the UI design tool within Eclipse. By structuring your code in a modular way, you can significantly simplify updates and recompilations. Here are some tips for effective redesign:

3.1. Develop Modular UI Classes

Split your UI into manageable parts. For instance, rather than having one large class for your entire application, break it down into classes that represent distinct components, such as:

Customer Detail Panel

Customer List Panel

This approach enhances maintainability and allows you to use WindowBuilder more effectively.

3.2. Ensure WindowBuilder Compatibility

Create your modular UI classes by ensuring they extend from Composite. Below is an example of how to structure a class for proper integration with WindowBuilder:

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4. Avoid Non-Compatible Designs

Be cautious not to rely on Plain Old Java Objects (POJOs) with GUI methods. For example, a class intended for GUI elements should not merely declare UI methods without extending from a GUI component class.

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Conclusion

While there may not be a perfect one-click solution for automatically recompiling Java GUI applications in Eclipse, adopting a modular design can significantly ease the development experience. By leveraging debug mode creatively or implementing a filesystem watcher, you can further optimize your workflow. Embracing these strategies not only streamlines your process but also contributes to cleaner, more maintainable code.

Remember, adapting your design to align with WindowBuilder's capabilities is the most effective long-term strategy for developing Java GUI applications without the hiccups of frequent restarts.

Feel free to share your thoughts or ask questions in the comments below!