Best JavaScript editor for Eclipse IDE reached a new version

05.04.2007 · Eclipse IDE, Javascript

JSEclipse is the best and free Javascript plug-in for the Eclipse IDE environment. Originally produced by InterAKT, it became Adobe Labs pet after Adobe acquired InterAKT to enhance existing product lines, including Macromedia Dreamweaver and Adobe Flex.

JSEclipse prerelease 2 released on April 2, 2007. Designed to help web developers edit JavaScript files with ease, it has built in support for:

  • Code completion for JavaScript function and classes.
  • Code completion for JavaDoc.
  • Function and class names are displayed in the Outline panel for the currently open file.
  • Open declaration
  • Error reporting
  • Warning reporting
  • Code wrap

Its benefits are visible from the simplest tasks like editing small sections of code for your site to the more complex ones like working with the next big AJAX library or developing plugins for a product that embeds JavaScript like Dreamweaver or Photoshop. JSEclipse offers several licensing options, out of which one will surely fit your needs. You can try the unrestricted free for non-commercial use version.

Release notes:

  • All prototype.js and script.aculo.us class extending idioms are now recognized
  • Full YAHOO framework support
  • Major performance improvement for content outline (smoother reparsing)
  • debugger keyword generates a line breakpoint marker in the editor - not an error
  • New button on the content outline toolbar to hide fields 
  • var /** Object */ a; provides information for the code completion engine
  • Ctrl+/ does not do toggle comment any more but instead will comment or uncomment all the lines
  • Pressing ENTER inside a single line comment preserves the comment
  • Content outline buttons’ state has become persistent

Fixed bugs:

  • user code completion libraries are not parsed
  • problem markers tooltips not showing
  • quick diff not working

For better experience, I recommend installing AJAX Toolkit Framework (ATF) plug-in, which provides embedded Mozilla web browser, embedded DOM browser and embedded JavaScript debugger.

Continue to relevant Adobe Labs page.