How to install Eclipse on OpenBSD

Eclipse is a popular integrated development environment (IDE) used for Java programming. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the installation process of Eclipse on OpenBSD.

Prerequisites

Before we begin, make sure you have the following:

• A computer running OpenBSD.
• A stable internet connection.

Step 1: Install Java

Eclipse requires Java to work, so we need to install it first. Open the terminal and run the following command:

$ doas pkg_add openjdk

This command will install the latest version of OpenJDK, which is the recommended Java implementation for OpenBSD.

Step 2: Download Eclipse

Next, we need to download the Eclipse installation file from the official website. Open a web browser and go to http://www.eclipse.org/downloads/. Then, select the Eclipse edition you want to install. For this tutorial, we will use Eclipse IDE for Java Developers.

Once you select the edition, click the download button to start the download process.

Step 3: Extract Eclipse

After the download is complete, open the terminal and navigate to the directory where the installation file is saved. Use the following command to extract the file:

$ tar -xvf eclipse-2021-03-R-linux-gtk-x86_64.tar.gz

Note that the filename may vary according to the version and edition you downloaded.

Step 4: Move Eclipse to /opt

We recommend moving Eclipse to the /opt directory. To do this, use the following command:

$ doas mv eclipse /opt/

Step 5: Create a Desktop Entry

To easily launch Eclipse from the Applications menu, we need to create a .desktop file. Open a text editor and paste the following:

[Desktop Entry]
Type=Application
Name=Eclipse
Exec=/opt/eclipse/eclipse
Icon=/opt/eclipse/icon.xpm
Terminal=false
Categories=Development;IDE;

Save the file as eclipse.desktop in the ~/.local/share/applications/ directory.

Step 6: Launch Eclipse

We're almost done! Launch Eclipse by opening the Applications menu and searching for "Eclipse". Click on the Eclipse icon and wait for it to start up.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Eclipse on OpenBSD.

Conclusion

In this tutorial, we covered the steps to install Eclipse on OpenBSD. Now, you can start developing Java applications using one of the most popular IDEs available.

If you want to self-host in an easy, hands free way, need an external IP address, or simply want your data in your own hands, give IPv6.rs a try!

Alternatively, for the best virtual desktop, try Shells!