Getting Started With CFEclipse

Report · Nov 23, 2008

I decided to switch from Homesite to CFEclipse during what is usually a down time in my business. Wouldn't you know it, something's come up and I need to make some important changes to some .cfm files. Not many, but they are critical. Now I don't have time to learn CFEclipse at a leisurely pace. Could someone just tell me how the heck I get CFEclipse to stop thinking all my .CFM files are read only? What I found through Google *seems* to indicate (but does not say directly) that I must create a project first. I attempted to do this, messed up, and now I need to delete the project I started but didn't finish creating.

All my website files are stored in one directory on my computer, which we'll call "Websites". This folder has multiple subfolders, each of which holds all the files for a website. So I need a separate project (if that's in fact what I've gotta do) for each subfolder. I've already set the default workspace to the "websites" folder.

I'm a pretty quick study on new software applications. If somebody could just give me a quick rundown or orientation on how to get CFEclipse to allow me to open and edit .CFM files, I would greatly appreciate it.

Many thanks,
GwenH

Report · Nov 23, 2008

how the heck I get CFEclipse to stop thinking all my .CFM files are read only?
Close Eclipse. In Windows, right-click on the affected directories and uncheck read-only. If necessary, first apply read-only to a directory, and then remove it. Remember to choose to "apply changes to this folder, subfolder and files". Restart Eclipse when you're done.

...a quick rundown or orientation on how to get CFEclipse to allow me to open and edit .CFM files
You simply have to open CFM and CFC files when Eclipse is in the CFEclipse perspective. To open the CFEclipse perspective, open the Window menu and navigate to Open Perspective => Other. Click on CFEclipse, then on OK. The CFEclipse symbol should light up in the top right-hand corner of the screen. The CFEclipse perspective is now open, and you can open and edit CFM and CFC files.

Report · Nov 23, 2008

Thanks for your help. In regards to your first paragraph, I don't know how that folder's properties became set to read-only. However, after I right-click on the folder holding *all* my website files and uncheck "Read Only," then click Apply, I get a popup message asking me if I want to apply the change just to that folder, or to all subfolders and files. I selected all subfolders and files. However, when I close Windows Explorer and then reopen it, then check the properties of my website files folder again, it has been designated as read only again. What is causing this?

In response to your second paragraph, I'm already in CFEclipse perspective.

Many thanks,
GwenH

Report · Nov 23, 2008

It's apparently so by design in some versions of Windows. There is a Microsoft workaround for those Unable to remove Read-Only attribute from folder.

Report · Nov 24, 2008

Thanks for the link, but it only applies to Windows 2000 and previous versions (according to the bottom of the page). I am running Windows XP Pro SP3. I tried the instructions anyway, but they don't work. The folder remains read-only. I had all these website folders and files under the Program Files\CfusionMX\Websites folder before I uninstalled Homesite. When I installed Eclipse Europa and CFEclipse, I moved the Websites folder to the MyDocuments folder, to simplify my backup procedures. Would moving them from CfusionMX to My Documents make them read only?

GwenH

Report · Nov 24, 2008

Thanks for the link, but it only applies to Windows 2000 and previous versions (according to the bottom of the page). I am running Windows XP Pro SP3.

They do give you a link to Windows XP and Vista. It's on the number 326549.

When I installed Eclipse Europa and CFEclipse, I moved the Websites folder to the MyDocuments folder, to simplify my backup procedures. Would moving them from CfusionMX to My Documents make them read only
I don't think so. However, it's necessary in Eclipse to have your files in a workspace. Do you?

Report · Nov 24, 2008

Yes, when you first open Eclipse Europa, it asks you to select which directory on your computer is your workspace. I have done that. I selected the "websites" folder that contains all the files for all my websites.

I am just very frustrated with this whole situation. All I did was move the files from one directory to another, and now I can't open them in Eclipse. Suddenly they've become read only, and I don't know why. Moving them to the My Documents folder shouldn't have done that. They opened just fine in Homesite. When I open them in Eclipse Europa, the file is totally blank. Eclipse won't show any text OR code, so I can't edit the files. My email hosting service forces me to change my password once every 60 days. Yesterday, unforeseen by me, another 60 days was up. The problem is, all my websites use that password to send mail to me from contact forms on the websites. Now I can't find and open the appropriate website files to edit the passwords, so nobody can email me from my websites. My businesses are dead in the water.

Aaaarrrrgggghhhhh!

GwenH

Report · Nov 24, 2008

Try Dreamweaver:

http://www.adobe.com/products/dreamweaver/

--
Adobe Community Expert - Dreamweaver/ColdFusion
Adobe Certified Expert - Dreamweaver CS3
Adobe Certified Expert - ColdFusion 8
Fordwebs, LLC
http://www.fordwebs.com
http://www.cfnoob.com

"GwenH" <webforumsuser@macromedia.com> wrote in message news:ggf239$nkl$1@forums.macromedia.com...
> Yes, when you first open Eclipse Europa, it asks you to select which directory
> on your computer is your workspace. I have done that. I selected the "websites"
> folder that contains all the files for all my websites.
>
> I am just very frustrated with this whole situation. All I did was move the
> files from one directory to another, and now I can't open them in Eclipse.
> Suddenly they've become read only, and I don't know why. Moving them to the My
> Documents folder shouldn't have done that. They opened just fine in Homesite.
> When I open them in Eclipse Europa, the file is totally blank. Eclipse won't
> show any text OR code, so I can't edit the files. My email hosting service
> forces me to change my password once every 60 days. Yesterday, unforeseen by
> me, another 60 days was up. The problem is, all my websites use that password
> to send mail to me from contact forms on the websites. Now I can't find and
> open the appropriate website files to edit the passwords, so nobody can email
> me from my websites. My businesses are dead in the water.
>
> Aaaarrrrgggghhhhh!
>
> GwenH
>

Report · Nov 24, 2008

I appreciate the suggestion, but no thanks. Been there, done that. I prefer a coding interface such as Homesite or Eclipse.

As I said before, I am usually a pretty quick study on new applications. Is there not a good book on using Eclipse Europa or CFEclipse that someone can recommend? One written from a layman's perspective, not the perspective of someone with a Ph.D. in programming. Also, if the book specifically covers CFEclipse, that would be great. If I could just find a less-technical tutorial or book, I would be off and running with Eclipse.

Best,
GwenH

Report · Nov 25, 2008

Have a look at this post:

http://www.coldfusionjedi.com/index.cfm/2008/11/11/When-did-Dreamweaver-add-this

--
Adobe Community Expert - Dreamweaver/ColdFusion
Adobe Certified Expert - Dreamweaver CS3
Adobe Certified Expert - ColdFusion 8
Fordwebs, LLC
http://www.fordwebs.com
http://www.cfnoob.com

"GwenH" <webforumsuser@macromedia.com> wrote in message news:ggfd36$7f9$1@forums.macromedia.com...
>I appreciate the suggestion, but no thanks. Been there, done that. I prefer a
> coding interface such as Homesite or Eclipse.
>
> As I said before, I am usually a pretty quick study on new applications. Is
> there not a good book on using Eclipse Europa or CFEclipse that someone can
> recommend? One written from a layman's perspective, not the perspective of
> someone with a Ph.D. in programming. Also, if the book specifically covers
> CFEclipse, that would be great. If I could just find a less-technical tutorial
> or book, I would be off and running with Eclipse.
>
> Best,
> GwenH
>

Report · Nov 24, 2008

> I don't think so. However, it's necessary in Eclipse to have
> your files in a workspace. Do you?

Yes, when you first open Eclipse Europa, it asks you to select which directory on your computer is your workspace. I have done that. I selected the "websites" folder that contains all the files for all my websites.

I probably wasn't very clear. I meant to ask whether you weren't confusing the files in the workspace with a copy elsewhere.

A second possibility is that some other process could be holding a lock on the files, preventing Eclipse from writing to them. Third, there is likely something wrong with your Eclipse installation. Normally, if you try to open a file or folder that is read-only, Eclipse would ask you whether you want it to remove the read-only lock. I am assuming that that has not happened in your case.

However, I think you can still save the situation. In my last post I referred you to a link to a workaround for read-only files in XP. Did you attempt it?

In any case, you should uninstall Eclipse. Download a new copy and reinstall. Create a new directory with just one test CFM file in it. Use it as the default workspace. Install CFEclipse. Get the test CFM page to work. If everything is to your satisfaction, go to the File menu and switch workspace to the websites folder.

Report · Nov 24, 2008

1. I don't have a copy of the files elsewhere. I *moved* them, I didn't copy them, to a new directory.

2. I'm not using the files with any other applications. I just built a new computer and did a fresh install of all my applications. I didnt' install Homesite; I installed Eclipse instead. I do not have Dreamweaver or any other web applications installed on the new computer. All my other applications are working as they should, except for Eclipse. I have not attempted to open the CFM files in any other applications.

3. Eclipse does ask me if I want to make the file writeable when I attempt to open one of my CFM files. I always select that option, and Eclipse opens the file, but then there's nothing there - no code, no text, nothing.

4. I don't think the problem is with XP. I am able to open the files in Notepad on both my laptop, which has Homesite installed, and my desktop, which has Eclipse Europa installed. I don't get any weird "read only" error messages when I do. The only problem with Notepad is, there's no global search feature, so I have to try to remember which files use the email password to send email messages from contact forms on each website. I know I didn't get them all yet. <sigh>

Best,
Gwen H

Report · Nov 24, 2008

quote:

Originally posted by: GwenH
1. I don't have a copy of the files elsewhere. I *moved* them, I didn't copy them, to a new directory.

So they're on your local hard drive?

quote:

2. I'm not using the files with any other applications. I just built a new computer and did a fresh install of all my applications. I didnt' install Homesite; I installed Eclipse instead. I do not have Dreamweaver or any other web applications installed on the new computer. All my other applications are working as they should, except for Eclipse. I have not attempted to open the CFM files in any other applications.

Yes you did, you opened them, edited them, and successfully saved them in Notepad.

quote:

3. Eclipse does ask me if I want to make the file writeable when I attempt to open one of my CFM files. I always select that option, and Eclipse opens the file, but then there's nothing there - no code, no text, nothing.

4. I don't think the problem is with XP. I am able to open the files in Notepad on both my laptop, which has Homesite installed, and my desktop, which has Eclipse Europa installed. I don't get any weird "read only" error messages when I do. The only problem with Notepad is, there's no global search feature, so I have to try to remember which files use the email password to send email messages from contact forms on each website. I know I didn't get them all yet. <sigh>
Best,
Gwen H

If these files are on your desktop's hard drive, how did you open them on your laptop?

Have you created a project in Eclipse? You can't just copy the files into your workspace and open them, you must create a project.

Right-click in the Navigator (left-hand side) and select New -> Project. Pick "CFML Project" under CFEclipse (assuming you've installed it).

Eclipse is a project-based editor. You need to create a project before you can do much of anything.

Report · Nov 24, 2008

Yes, the files are all on my local hard drive. I cut them from one folder and moved them into another. (Yes, I have backups, on the website servers, in an online backup account, and on an external hard disk.)

Yes, I opened the files in Notepad, but only *****after***** I attempted to open them in Eclipse and got the inexplicable "read only" errors. I did not attempt to open them in any other program ****before**** I tried Eclipse on the new computer.

Yes, I have CFEclipse installed, as I've stated multiple times in previous messages.

I attempted to create a project, but did not do it correctly. Now I need to delete that "incomplete" or "incorrect" project and try again. That's why, in my first message, I asked where I go in Eclipse to manage projects (delete ones I don't want, rename ones that are there, etc.).

It's interesting how quick everyone is to assume user errors, instead of honoring my original request to point me to a book or tutorial that would help me get started. I couldn't possibly be intelligent enough to just need a little bit of a push in the right direction.

Thanks anyway,
GwenH

Report · Nov 24, 2008

GwenH wrote:
I don't think the problem is with XP

I was thinking less of a problem and more of a solution. I gave you the Microsoft Support link to help to remove the read-only lock on the directories. That would enable you to start afresh. You haven't said how that went.

Eclipse does ask me if I want to make the file writeable when I attempt to open one of my CFM files. I always select that option, and Eclipse opens the file, but then there's nothing there - no code, no text, nothing.

Well, that answers that. Not a good omen, I'll agree.

I am able to open the files in Notepad on both my laptop, which has Homesite installed, and my desktop, which has Eclipse Europa installed. I don't get any weird "read only" error messages when I do.

You should compare whether you're able to write to the files, not whether you're able to open them.

I attempted to create a project, but did not do it correctly. Now I need to delete that "incomplete" or "incorrect" project and try again. That's why, in my first message, I asked where I go in Eclipse to manage projects (delete ones I don't want, rename ones that are there, etc.).

As I said, I would reinstall Eclipse instead. The weird behaviour could be a symptom of something broken in your current installation.

It's interesting how quick everyone is to assume user errors

I have looked again at the postings. I cannot see anyone making quick Gwen Scissorhands assumptions.

Give yourself a break. You've just started with the thing. There are bound to be headaches and teething problems. Try one suggestion at a time.

my original request to point me to a book or tutorial that would help me get started. I couldn't possibly be intelligent enough to just need a little bit of a push in the right direction.

Open Eclipse. The Help menu contains, in my opinion, the best tutorials published so far.

Stick with Eclipse. This is just temporary frustration.You cannot learn anything new and worthy without losing your dignity in some way. Reading between the lines, I can see that you're more than intelligent and tenacious enough to tame the thing.

Report · Dec 08, 2008

OK, I finally found more time to work on this. I uninstalled Eclipse. Then I reinstalled it. Before installing CFEclipse, I opened one of my .cfm files to see what would happen. I did not get a message telling me the file was read-only, and after I opened it I could both *see* and *edit* the code.

Then I reinstalled CFEclipse. Now all my .cfm files are marked read-only when I attempt to open them in Eclipse. When the error message displays and I click "Make Writeable," the file appears to open but there is nothing there--no code, no text, nothing.

Clearly the problem is with the install of CFEclipse. I am using Eclipse Europa and the latest version of CFEclipse. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance,

Gwen H

Report · Dec 08, 2008

My advice is to install Ganymede Eclipse and then proceed with the installation of CFEclipse 1.3.2 Beta. I gave suggestions on how to do this in your previous thread on Eclipse.

Report · Dec 09, 2008

As I have previously explained, the first thing I ever did with Eclipse was install Ganymeade and then attempt to install the latest Beta version of CFEclipse. CFEclipse would not work for me under these conditions. If it works for you, great. However, I can only operate on personal experience. And based on that experience, I know with absolute certainty that is not going to solve my problem. If I could get Ganymeade to work for me, it would have done so on the first install. Furthermore, since I have already explained this, I am puzzled as to why you continue to suggest this option.

Gwen H

Report · Dec 09, 2008

Would my file locations cause CFEclipse to mark CFM files as read-only? I have my Eclipse program files here:

C:\Eclipse\

And I have my .CFM files here:

C:\Gwen H Documents\Websites\

Is CFEclipse attempting to force me to put my website files in C:\Eclipse by marking them as read-only if they're not in that directory? This is just a thought.

Thanks,
Gwen H

Report · Dec 11, 2008

Would my file locations cause CFEclipse to mark CFM files as read-only? I have my Eclipse program files here:

C:\Eclipse\

And I have my .CFM files here:

C:\Gwen H Documents\Websites\

Is CFEclipse attempting to force me to put my website files in C:\Eclipse by marking them as read-only if they're not in that directory?

I don't think so. My respective paths are similar to yours, however, with one exception. You don't have a workspace directory. Eclipse should be reading files from the workspace directory! My paths are

C:\bin\eclipse\

and

C:\Coldfusion8\wwwroot\website\ workspace\

Report · Dec 11, 2008

If I could get Ganymeade to work for me, it would have done so on the first install. Furthermore, since I have already explained this, I am puzzled as to why you continue to suggest this option.

My suggestion on how to get CFEclipse to work on Ganymede came later. Did you follow the steps?