Install Erlang R10 or later, if it isn't already present on your system. On Windows systems, use a path with no spaces in it.
Install Eclipse. The recommended Eclipse version is 3.2.
If your network uses a proxy, fill in the appropriate data in .
Download Erlide by going to . In the dialog, choose and enter Erlide as name and http://erlide.sourceforge.net/update32 as URL. Follow the dialogs with the obvious choices and in the end you will be asked to restart.
Restart. A dialog will pop up, asking for the path to your Erlang instalation. Enter the path to the top level directory (i.e. $ERL_TOP). Now restart again.
Done! You're ready to start exploring
For Eclipse 3.1.2, use http://erlide.sourceforge.net/update. The 3.1.2 version is no longer supported and is 0.3.20.
This chapter is just a quick-and-dirty version of a more complete documentation, whose outline you see below and which will follow when time permits.
Create projects with the File->New->Erlang project wizard. If the project isn't new, you can do an automatic search for source files, by using the "Discover paths" option. Review the result and add other needed directories
Create files by right-clicking on the desired directory in the resource view, and choosing either File->New->Other->File and entering a name ending with erl, or File->New->Erlang->Module and following the instructions in the wizard. Leave empty any fields you don't understand the meaning of.
The Erlang perspective should open.
The editor works as usual. Can be configured in Window-Preferences->Erlang. Note that not all options are functional.
Some useful commands in the editor are
put cursor on a function call (only standard OTP modules are supported currently) and its documentation will pop up
put cursor in a function name and press F3 and the source of the function's definition will be shown (if available)
writing for example "lists:r" will pop up a list of possible completions of the function call.
right clicking in the editor will show a menu where some Erlang options are at the bottom. "Correct indentation" is still not so good yet.
The outline view allows navigation in a module and an overview of the functions in it. Clicking on an item will show its definition in the editor.
The console lets you interact with the Erlang node that is behind the scenes.
Ther is a "Live expressions" view where you can enter expressions that will be reeevaluated every time a file is recompiled or when you press "refresh" in the view. You have to create a new entry, then go to the expression field and edit it. Don't use expressions that might kill the runtime or crash things (for example "init:stop()"), because there's no restriction yet.
The "Process list" view is just what it says,
Opening a "Edoc" view (in Window->Show view->Erlang) will display the documentation for the function where the cursor is (only OTP libraries)
Building is automatic whenever a file is saved (if Project->Build automatically is enabled) and the modified module is also reloaded in the Erlang backend.
The problems view will show all errors and warnings from the compiler. Clicking them opens the file in the editor at the right line.
There is also a builder that uses Make files --- TBD
For those not familiar with Eclipse, some short tips and tricks:
Ctrl-Shift-L will display a list of key bindings to the various commands
There is a preliminary presentation here (requires Flash)
This Getting Started tutorial is designed to help you learn about using the Erlang IDE (Erlide) in the workbench. This tutorial assumes the following:
That you are starting with a brand new workbench installation with all the default settings and preferences.
That the Erlide plugin is properly installed and running, see the Installation guide.
That you are familiar with the basic workbench mechanisms (e.g., views, text searching, perspectives, etc.)
There is also a preliminary presentation here (requires Flash)
In this section, you will verify that the workbench is properly set up for Erlang development. See the installation guide.
TBD
In this section, you will create a new Erlang project.
Inside Eclipse select the menu item . to open the New Project wizard. Select then click to start the New Erlang Project wizard: On this page, type "ErlDemo" in the Project name field.
In the Resource Explorer, make sure that the src directory under the ErlDemo project is selected. Select the menu item and enter "mytest.erl".
Related concepts: Erlang projects,Erlang views
Related tasks: Working with build paths,Creating a new Erlang project,Using the Package Explorer
Related reference: New Erlang Project Wizard