On Sep 19, 2008, at 8:02 AM, Chris Goedde wrote:
Hi all,
Is there a guide somewhere to using Xcode 3.1 for doing Java development?
If you're doing heavy-duty pure Java development, you may be better off using some of the more dedicated Java development tools available on OS X, such as Eclipse.
Xcode's main focus is C-based languages building mach-O applications.
I'm updating some (relatively simple) projects that were originally done in Xcode 1.5 or thereabouts, and I'm trying to figure out the new way of doing things in Xcode 3.1.
Note that in earlier Xcodes, when you created a Java project, you made a JAM-based project.
In Xcode 3.0 and later, when you create a new Java project, you make an ant-based project.
While JAM is still around in Xcode 3.*, you can't make new projects with it, and it is deprecated.
If you want to keep using Xcode with Java, I would advise re-creating the projects in Xcode 3.0 or higher.
Hm, it sounds like you are using an ant-based project, in the way you mention the build.xml file and the folder references below. So you're good so far.
I'm looking for the answers to very basic questions like:
(1) Right now, to add or delete files to the src folder in the project, the only thing I've figured out is to close the project, drag files into or out of the folder in the Finder, then reopen the project. Surely there's a better way?
You'll always need to go to the Finder to move the files around.
But...you don't have to close the project. To my knowledge, the important thing is moving the files to the right place in the file system, where ant will see them. Since the entire compilation is ant-based, Xcode really has very little to do with it, so it doesn't actually matter if Xcode updates its folder reference or not.
However, I do believe, if you go to the Finder and move the file, then go back to Xcode, then close and re-disclose the folder reference (blue folder), the new contents of it will be displayed to you.
(2) What build settings can be set in Xcode proper and what setting require editing of build.xml? For example, if I switch the build configuration for a Java applet from Debug to Release, does that actually do anything? Or do I have to edit the <property name="compile.debug" value="true"/> line in build.xml?
Pretty much everything needs to be set in build.xml. Again, if you're looking for a more closely-integrated IDE-Java experience, you will unfortunately need to go elsewhere.