Eclipse PHP IDE

3 nagging questions

[Joey33]

Hello,

I've just installed Eclipse and PDT and I'm getting familiar without major problems but I'm stuck with 3 issues:

1. do you know any plugin that would let me convert " to \" in selected text? (or enclose selection with braces, I mean basic convertions that you use often in php when working with html tags)

2. how do I install Zend debugger? (I downloaded the plugin 'enabling debbuging' from zend but probrably the server plugin too...?) Is it worth instaling or maybe a better choice is Xdebug?

3. how do I safely remove plugins that I don't need? AFAI there are eg. tools for developing Java apps. I would like to slim my Eclipse as much possible to speed it up.

Regards to all people of good will!
Konrad

[coopster]

Welcome to WebmasterWorld, Joey33.

1. You can write your own "snippets" or use other IDE such as Aptana (search on [eclipse.org...] for other options)
   
2. zend debug: [zend.com...]
   I had to setup a "New Remote Site" to get the updates to come in properly though
   
3. Speeding up eclipse involves more than just removing unwanted plug-ins. You can turn off the "Build Automatically" on startup (adjust your preferences)

[Joey33]

I've finally managed to instal Zend and you're right - I had to instal updates, since there were errors on loadup.

I don't know if I'm right but if I want to debug a script I have to create a project..?

One more question: I tried with single pages as well as whole projects but execution doesn't stop on breakpoints...hmm The whole page with included scripts is generated from top to bottom, ignoring toggled breakpoints. Would you have idea what I'm doing wrong?

And when I open project files from PHP Explorer panel they cannot be edited, just viewed.

As to Aptana, thanks fro the hint!

Regards,
Konrad

[coopster]

You should be able to edit files, that's what an Integrated Development Environment does! You must have something set up improperly (obviously). I would recommend starting with the

Help > Welcome

from the menu and go through the tutorials to get acquainted with the software. It is extremely flexible which adds a level of complexity but once you get adjusted to the software and it's interfaces I think you will be very happy. Best wishes as you dig deeper!

[ergophobe]

coopster,

does this mean that you have given up coding in Notepad?

[coopster]

LOL! I have always used an editor, I just don't use any WYSIWYG editor ... but ... I'm not opposed to them. I don't usually do much of the layout myself. I've been searching for a decent WYSIWYG editor interface for Eclipse. I'm still learning the application myself. It is awesome though. So far I really like it.

[Joey33]

I've discovered that when files cannot be edited (just views) when they are in a project as included from another. I just didn't set up a project properly. Now I add a dir from hdd and evertything runs smoothly:)

The app is great, I have mysql with col names in a panel. Code assist is awesome, so far only good sides. A great great idea is highlighting files in a project where sth is wrong - perfect!

BTW, I've just spent 2 days on trying to come to terms with zend debugger. I installed php core2, web server and who knows what from zend site and uuuuugh, never again. Just cannot get ir to work. Currently I'm trying xdebug.

One more thing - is it possible to have ALL vars from a current script in a panel (not just classes and funcs)?

Thanks for help,
Konrad