How to Install Eclipse IDE on Ubuntu 12.04

Eclipse IDE (Integrated Development Environment) is the most popular IDE among Java developers although it is also used as an IDE for C++, PHP, Rails (through aptana plugins), Javascript and Android (SDK) development. In fact – it’s the most popular open source IDE, and it is very extensible (through plugins) so whatever language you use – you can get a way with Eclipse.

Anyway – IDE helps a lot in setting up a complex development environment (in Java or others) – so it may help you in increasing your productivity (although I’m not sure about this, I feel more productive on a simple text editor like gedit or very powerful text editors like Vim or Emacs, I don’t use Java either). Although, I’ve written this post primarily for Ubuntu 12.04 LTS (precise pangolin) users but it should work well in other versions of Ubuntu as well as on other similar distributions – specially Debian based distributions e.g Linux Mint, Kubuntu etc.

Install Eclipse Platform

First of all, you should install the Eclipse Platform – core of the IDE – then you can choose/install the language extensions/tools required according to your need. open a terminal and execute –

sudo apt-get install eclipse-platform

Now, you’re installed the core platform you can install development plugins according to your need. I’ve listed some of them so if you can’t find the plugin for your preferred languages here, then go to official site.

Install JDT for Java Development

If you want to setup Eclipse with Java then install Java Development Tools (JDT) package for Eclipse.

sudo apt-get install eclipse-jdt

Install CDT for C/C++ Development

If you want to use Eclipse IDE for C/C++ developments then install CDT (C/C++ development tools) packages for Eclipse –

sudo apt-get install eclipse-cdt

Aptana Studio for Web Developers

Aptana Studio is a good IDE for web developers – it is a good IDE for Python, Ruby on Rails, HTML, CSS and Javascript development. Although, you could install the standalone version of Aptana Studio 2 but if you’re using Eclipse then better install it as a Eclipse Plugin.To install Aptana Studio Development plugin in Eclipse, just follow these simple steps –

• Open Eclipse and go to Help -> Install New Software and paste the URL (http://download.aptana.com/studio3/plugin/install)
• Now, few more Next Next .. and you’re done!

Android Development SDK/ADT plugin for Eclipse

I’ve already explained in detail(step by step instruction) about setting up Android SDK on Ubuntu – so refer that post if necessary.