Top 30 Eclipse Interview Questions and Answers

Most Frequently Asked Eclipse Interview Questions and Answers:

The Eclipse platform provides the foundation for the Eclipse IDE

If you are preparing for an Eclipse interview, then these are the top 30 most frequently asked Eclipse interview questions and answers that you need to know. We have designed them to get you introduced to the questions you tend to be asked during your technical interview.

Have a thorough look!!

Quiz on Eclipse Interview Questions to Test Your Expertise

A perfect Eclipse interview questions quiz to showcase your Eclipse skills. Prove your knowledge and understanding of Eclipse in your upcoming interview and land your dream Job without any hassles.

This article will enrich your knowledge on all the Eclipse concepts with pictorial representation to enable you to understand them in a better way and clear any interview confidently.

About Eclipse

An Integrated Development Environment (IDE) is an application providing an environment for Software Development. An IDE will have Code Editors, Debuggers, Logging tools, a Version Control System, etc. ‘NetBeans’, ‘Eclipse’ are examples of such IDEs.

In the late 90s, several tools were available for Java development in the market, but integration between these tools was not so easy and smooth.

With the introduction of the Eclipse IDE, integration between the components became smooth and much easier too. Thus, Eclipse became one of the most popular IDEs in Java development.

Essential Eclipse IDE Interview Questions and Answers

Given below is a list of the most important and commonly asked Eclipse interview questions that would help any job seeker.

Let’s Explore!!

Q #1) What is an Eclipse IDE?

Answer: Eclipse IDE is the most widely used Java development environment. It is also used to develop applications in other programming languages like Python, C#, C++, etc.

Q #2) What are the system requirements for Eclipse IDE to run successfully on our computer system?

Answer:  A system must have the latest version of the Java run time properly installed for the Eclipse IDE to run successfully on it. You can install either ‘JRE’ or ‘JDK’, depending on the task you need to perform with the Eclipse IDE.

To check if our system has a Java runtime environment installed in it or not-

Use the command prompt and type in the command ”Java -version’.

Please refer to the figure below:

(Please note that I have installed the Java JDK file on my system.)

Q #3) What is the latest version of the Eclipse IDE that has been released?

Answer: Eclipse Oxygen 64-bit is the latest version of Eclipse IDE. It was released on 28 June 2017.

Q #4) Name different versions of the Eclipse IDE?

Answer:

Q #5) What are the types of files likely to be found in the ‘src’ and ‘bin’ folders of your Java project developed using Eclipse IDE?

Answer: If you have developed a Java project using Eclipse IDE and added code to meet the project requirements, then you can find ‘.java’ files in the ‘src’ folder and corresponding ‘.class’ files in the ‘bin’ folder. (When we run a Java Project, ‘.java’ files are compiled to ‘.class’ files).

Q #6) What are the operating systems that support the Eclipse IDE?

Answer: Eclipse IDE is a cross-platform; hence, it can be successfully installed and used as a development environment in almost all the operating systems like Windows, Mac, Linux, Solaris, etc.

Q #7) How to create the documentation of a project using Eclipse IDE?

Answer: If we need to generate documentation for a project using Eclipse IDE, select ‘Project’ in the menu item and then select ‘Generate Javadoc’.

Then, we need to add a library (javac.jar) file to the project and specify a location in the system to save the document generated.

Generate documentation for project:

public class FirstClass{
/* Here is the statements in documentation*/
int user_name;
int user_emailID;
public int getUser_name(){
return user_name;
}
public void setUser_name(int user_name){
this.user_name=user_name;
}
public  int getUser_emailID(){
return user_emailID(){
}
public void setUser_emailID(int user_emailID){
this.user_emailID=user_emailID;
}
}

After generating the documentation of the project, you will get a new folder in the project explorer named ‘doc’. Open ‘index.HTML’ within the ‘doc’ folder, and there we can find the project documentation.

Please refer to the figure below:

Q #8) Why is it always better to ‘Close’ a Project in Eclipse IDE than leave it ‘Open’ in the Package Explorer?

Answer: In an Eclipse IDE, we can have several projects in the ‘Package Explorer’. Those projects can be either in ‘Open’ or the ‘Closed’ state.

An ‘Open’ project will consume a lot of memory. Also, ‘Open’ projects take up build time, especially when we try to ‘Clean’ the projects in the workspace. So, it is always better to ‘Close’ a project.

Q #9) If you need to ‘Reset’ a particular perspective in Eclipse IDE, how will you attain it?

Answer: The common name given to the default arrangement of views and editor areas in the development environment is called a ‘perspective’ in the Eclipse IDE.

 To ‘Reset’ a particular perspective in Eclipse IDE:

• Select the ‘perspective’ icon as displayed in the image below. It is usually shown in the top right corner of the Eclipse IDE.
• Right-click on the icon.
• Select ‘Reset’, thus we can reset the views in perspective.

‘Reset’ action will put all the windows back in a position where they are supposed to be, by default.

Q #10) Explain how to add a JAR file to the project build path in Eclipse IDE.

Answer: To add a utility ‘jar’ file to the project created in Eclipse IDE, refer to the steps below:

• Select the ‘project’
• Right-click the project
• Select ‘properties’
• Select ‘Java Build Path’
• Select the ‘Libraries’ tab
• Select ‘Add external jar file’
• Find the location of the ‘jar’ file in your system and add the same to the project

After this, we can use the functionalities and features related to the jar file in the project.

Scenario-Based Interview Questions for Eclipse Developers

Q #11) What are the tasks that you can accomplish with the Eclipse IDE?

Answer: The tasks that can be accomplished are stated below:

• We can create a generic project using the Eclipse IDE. A generic project is a set of guidelines, tricks, rules, tasks, and tips that help you create the product and market your product in a faster and efficient way.
• Edit files in the generic text editor.
• Share files using the CVS (Concurrent Version System) server.

Q #12) What is the Eclipse IDE Modelling framework?

Answer: While creating a project using an IDE, we may add ‘class’ files, create a model for the project, and create an XML schema for the same. If we have a better modeling framework, we need to create only one of these entities, and the rest of them will get created along with it . This is done by EMF (Eclipse Modelling Framework).

So, EMF is a set of Eclipse plug-ins, which can model a data model and generate code from it. This framework is a Java/XML framework.

Q #13) How to generate code automatically with the Eclipse IDE?

Answer: Consider an example where you have a class file and some attributes inside the class.

You need to generate ‘get’ methods and ‘set’ methods for the value of an attribute in the class. We can use the ‘Generate Getters and Setters’ feature of Eclipse.

Eclipse IDE can autogenerate getter and setter methods for the attributes, as shown in the image below:

.

Q #14) Explain about ‘Builders’ associated with the projects in Eclipse IDE.

Answer: Projects created in the Eclipse IDE have zero or more ‘builders’ associated with them. A builder compiles the source code and generates classes for the associated project.  A Java project is associated with a Java builder.

To find the builders associated with a project:

• Select the ‘Project’.
• Right-click on the ‘Project’ in the Package Explorer.
• Select ‘Properties’.
• A window named ‘Properties for sample’ is shown on the left-hand side. Three checks for ‘Builders’. Select it.

Q #15) What is the Rich Client Platform?

Answer: A minimal set of plugins that you need to build a rich client application is known as the Rich Client Platform.

Creating a sample application Eclipse IDE needs only two plugins like ‘org.eclipse.ui’ and ‘org.eclipse.core.runtime’.

Q #16) What is Workspace?

Answer: Workspace is the actual location of a project developed using the Eclipse IDE. It contains source files, images, and other artifacts like preference settings, plug-ins, specific metadata, logs, etc.

To change the workspace location:

1. Click ‘File’ in the menu bar.
2. Select the ‘Switch Workspace’.
3. Select a new location to create/open a new project.

Q #17) How to install a new plug-in and run it at the start of the Eclipse IDE?

Answer: We can install third-party plug-ins in Eclipse IDE using ‘Help’ –> ‘Install Software’.

Usually, a plug-in has two parts: a declarative part and a code part. The declarative part is in a plugin. XML is loaded when the platform runs and is available regardless of whether a plug-in has started.

When the user starts coding, the plugins functionality is explicitly invoked by the user.

Q #18) How is Refactoring done in the Eclipse IDE?

Answer: Refactoring is the method of reconstructing the code without behavior changes. One of the examples of refactoring is ‘rename’ a class or a method. If you need to change the name of a class or method, you can right-click on your class and select ‘rename’, and then we can type in the desired name.

Eclipse IDE will make sure that the name is changed everywhere without any further effort.

Q #19) Where can we find the log file in the Eclipse IDE?

Answer: When a problem is encountered, we will have the reports of them documented in the workspace log file. The location where the log file is stored is in the workspace/.metadata/.log. In the Eclipse IDE error log view will show all the captured errors.

In the Eclipse IDE, the error log is available under Windows -> Show view -> Error log.

Q #20) While a User is running the Eclipse IDE, the following error occurred? Error: “Java Runtime Environment (JRE) or Java Development Kit (JDK) must be available in order to run eclipse”.

How to solve the issue?

Answer: If the issue is raised, we must verify whether we have added the Java location in ‘environment variables’ for the system properties correctly.

To verify if ‘environment variables’ have been added to the System Property correctly, follow the below steps:

• Select ‘My computer’.
• Select ‘properties’.
• Select ‘advanced system settings’.
• Select the ‘advance’ tab.
• Select ‘environment variable’.
• Click the ‘new’ button under the user variable and enter a variable name as ‘path’.
• Copy the location of the Java bin and paste it at the start of the variable value and click ‘ok’.
• After completing the process, run the Eclipse IDE.

Eclipse Interview Questions for Experienced

Q #21) How to format the codes in Eclipse IDE?

Answer: Control+Shift+F is the shortcut for formatting statements. But if we want to format the entire project, use the ‘autoformat’ functionality IDE.

• Select “Windows”.
• Select “Preferences”.
• Then type in “format “ as displayed in the above image.
• Then search for “Java -Code Style –formatter”. Here, we will have a default format style. We can change it by the edit option.

For example, ‘braces’.

We can put ‘braces’ on the same line or the next line according to our convenience and the coding standards that are chosen. You can configure all types of formatting here. If you are working on a team project, you can export the preferences of the format and share it with the other members of the team.

Q #22) What is Hot Code Replace?

Answer: ‘Hot Code Replace’ is a debugging technique, which means it is possible to alter the code in Java files (if needed) while debugging the code on a run-time workbench. For the Eclipse IDE, a restart is not required to accomplish the task.

The debugger will replace the code in the Virtual Machine while it is running.

Q #23) How can you run an Eclipse IDE in a clean mode?

Answer: If you can install a new plugin or remove the unused plugins from the Eclipse IDE, then it is recommended to run the development environment in clean mode. The process will clear all the cached information and will not affect any workspace-related data.

To run an Eclipse IDE in clean mode, there are two methods:

a) Start the IDE using the command line in cmd prompt ‘eclipse -clean’

OR

b) Edit the eclipse.ini file by inserting the line ‘-clean’ as the first line in the file. Remove the same line from the ini file, as it causes Eclipse to re-evaluate all of the plugins every time it starts up and increases the startup time.

Q #24) If Eclipse IDE throws an error, ‘Missing R.java file’, how can we solve the issue?

Answer: The R.java file is an auto-generated file that contains references to all the resources used in a project.

Possible fixes for the error are:

• Make sure that in ‘Eclipse IDE ‘–in the menu item ‘Project’ -> “Build automatically” is checked.
• Then ‘Clean’ your project and ‘Build’ it again.
• Make sure that there are no errors in your XML files.

Q #25) Explain the Debug Configuration in Eclipse IDE?

Answer: Users can change the ‘Debug Configuration’ for a Java project created using the Eclipse IDE.

To change the ‘Debug Configuration’:

• Select the ‘Run’ menu item.
• Select “Debug Configurations”.
• Select the “Java Application” from the list on the left-hand side (if we need to create a debug configuration for a Java application) and click on the New button. A dialog box comes up.

Q #26) Describe few frequently used shortcuts that are used in the Eclipse IDE.

Answer:

a) Press Ctrl + Shift + L, it will open a widget that shows all the shortcut keys.

b) In the Java editor, press Ctrl+Space to see the list of suggested auto-completions available in Eclipse IDE.

c) When the cursor is positioned inside the method argument in a class, then press Ctrl + Shift + Space on the keyboard to see a list of the suggested parameters.

d) Type ‘/**’ and press Enter key. It will automatically be added to the commands that we can include in the Javadoc document.

Q #27) What are the views of an Eclipse IDE Workbench?

Answer: The major visible parts of an Eclipse IDE are:

• Views
• Editors (all appear in one editor area)
• Menu Bar
• Toolbar

Q #28) Name the Menu items that are available on the Menu Bar of an Eclipse IDE.

Answer: Menu items shown on the Menu Bar of the IDE depend on the installed plug-ins in the Eclipse IDE. Customization of the Menu items can also be done using the Customize Perspective dialog box to show the desired menu items.

• File menu
• Edit menu
• Source menu
• Refactor menu
• Diagram menu
• Navigate menu
• Search menu
• Project menu
• Run menu
• Window menu
• Help menu

Q #29) If you encounter the following error while launching the Eclipse IDE, What will you do to fix the Issue?

Errors: “could not create a Java Virtual Machine. A fatal exception has occurred. The program will exit”. Explain?

Answer: The error you have encountered now is an ‘Exit’ error. To fix this issue, we need to add the ‘Virtual Machine Path’ in the ‘eclipse.ini’ file.

Open eclipse.ini file and make sure that you add the path before vmargs (as shown in the above figure). Save the eclipse.ini file and try to launch Eclipse IDE again.

Q #30) How can we know the details about plug-ins installed in Eclipse IDE?

Answer: Eclipse is considered to be an extensible IDE as we can install several plug-ins in the IDE which in turn makes it so popular for development purposes.

To know the details about the list of plug-ins installed in Eclipse IDE:

• Select ‘Help’
• Select ‘About Eclipse’

In the ‘About Eclipse’ Window, we can find all the “Installation Details” of it.

If we click on the ‘Installation Details’, we can see the details of all the plug-ins installed in IDE.

Conclusion

Eclipse IDE is composed of many plug-ins and it can be extended further using additional plug-ins as well. Java Development Tool (JDT) provides a plug-in that allows it to be used as an IDE for Java development.

Similarly, PyDev is a plugin that allows Eclipse to be used as a Python IDE and C/C++ Development Tools (CDT) is a plug-in that allows Eclipse to be used for developing an application using C/C++.

Recommended Reading =>> Eclipse For C++

Eclipse can be used as an IDE for any programming language for which a plug-in is available.

If you have a thorough knowledge of the above-given Eclipse Interview Questions, then you can clear any interview successfully. I hope my efforts in preparing this will help any job seeker.

Every interview is important..!! Happy Job Hunting!