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I downloaded the SDK app for Mac. Where is Eclipse?

mrjerz
over 4 years ago

I got the SDK to download on my Mac after clicking the link didn't auto-download the .dmg. It just presented a page filled with code and random characters. But, I right-clicked and saved the .dmg, opened it, opened the SdkManager.app and installed the latest SDK and devices. Now the instructions say to install the Eclipse plugin, and there is nothing showing me where that would be. I have no Eclipse app, no reference to anything other than selecting the current SDK and which devices I want installed.

What did I miss?

  • over 4 years ago

    You need to install eclipse.  It's a separate install.

  • over 4 years ago in reply to jim_m_58

    So, is Eclipse a Garmin app, or its own thing? The instructions don't make that clear at all (nor is there a link), so I apologize for the dumb question.

  • over 4 years ago in reply to mrjerz

    I agree that the instructions are very unclear (and the issue with the SDK not downloading properly sounds like a bug).

    Eclipse is its own thing: it's a free IDE (integrated development environment) made by a third party. It's basically a tool for writing and testing code. Think of it as Notes or Sublime Text on steroids.

    You can download it here:

    www.eclipse.org/.../

  • over 4 years ago in reply to flowstate

    The version for Java developers is what I've always used.

    from the doc I linked:

    "The Connect IQ plug-in requires either the Standard Edition or IDE for Java Developers"

  • over 4 years ago in reply to jim_m_58

    TL;DR I think the "Get the SDK" page should explain what Eclipse is, or at the very least, have a direct link to the "Getting Started" doc you linked to. But it doesn't.

    jim_m_58 said:

    from the doc I linked:

    "The Connect IQ plug-in requires either the Standard Edition or IDE for Java Developers"

    Sure but I'm willing to bet that the "Getting Started" page will *not* be the first thing that most people read, because of the way the docs are structured. I bet that many ppl looking for the "Connect IQ SDK" will see the "Get the SDK" page before they read "Getting Started", and "Get the SDK" doesn't have enough context/background for ppl who are new to development.

    if you search up "Connect IQ SDK", google returns the following result:

    From there it seems natural to click on either "Connect IQ SDK" or "Get the SDK".

    If I click on the former link, I'm encouraged to "Get the SDK":

    Then if you click on Get the SDK, you're asked to Install the SDK Manager, then Install the Eclipse Plugin without any explanation of what Eclipse is.

    The Getting Started link isn't even visible until you click on Connect IQ Basics, which comes *after* Get the SDK in the sidebar:

  • over 4 years ago in reply to flowstate

    The info is also at the beginning of the readme file in the SDK.

  • over 4 years ago in reply to jim_m_58

    Does the readme file automatically open when you install the SDK? (No, it doesn't)

    Is that information on the Get The SDK page which asks you install the Eclipse plugin? (No.)

    Is it ever possible to improve anything at all? (I guess not.)

    Garmin found it possible to include a 5000-word legal agreement on both the Get The SDK page and when you run SDK Manager for the first time. I don't think it would be too much to ask for one sentence and a link to explain what Eclipse is before asking the user to "Install the Eclipse Plugin".

    Based on this thread, at least one user had a problem with not knowing what Eclipse is.