How to install plugin in Eclipse without Marketplace?

Installing plugins in Eclipse can significantly enhance your development experience, offering additional features and tools that streamline your workflow. While the Eclipse Marketplace provides a convenient way to discover and install plugins, there are times when you may need to install a plugin without using the Marketplace.

This could be due to restrictions in your development environment, a need for a specific version of a plugin, or simply the desire to manually manage your installations. In this guide, we will explore the steps to install plugins in Eclipse without Marketplace, ensuring you can customize your IDE to fit your needs.

Install Plugins Without Marketplace

When the Eclipse Marketplace option is not available, you can manually install the plug-in in two main ways:

1. Using the updated site URL

Many Eclipse plugins are delivered through the update site. This is a URL that points to the repository that contains the plug-in files. You can install a plug-in to specify the Update Site URL from within Eclipse. This ensures that the latest version of the plug-in is downloaded and installed directly from the source.

2. Using a .jar or .zip file:

Some plug-ins are distributed as .jar or .zip files that you can download and install manually in Eclipse. This method is especially useful when working in environments without the Internet. Or if the plug-in is not available in the Eclipse Marketplace after downloading the plug-in. You can place the file in Eclipse's dropins folder or install it via the install new software option.

Installing Plugin example: EclEmma (Code Coverage Tool)

• EclEmma is a popular Eclipse plugin used to measure Java code coverage during execution testing. It integrates seamlessly with the Eclipse IDE. It gives developers visual feedback on which parts of their code are executed by unit tests. By highlighting comprehensive and uncovered lines of code, EclEmma helps developers identify untested areas. and improve the overall quality of their applications.
• EclEmma is widely popular for its simplicity, ease of use, and support for a wide range of code coverage metrics, such as line, branch, and method coverage. It is a lightweight tool that does not require complex configuration. This makes it a practical option for Java developers looking to improve their testing processes within Eclipse.

Method 1: Install the plugin using the update site URL

You can manually install the EclEmma plugin using the site update URL by following these steps:

1. Open Eclipse IDE:

• Open your Eclipse IDE.

2. Go to Help → Install new software

• Click Help in the top menu. Then select Install new software from the drop-down menu.

3. Click Add... in the dialog box

• Click the Add button... to enter the plug-in URL in the installation dialog box.

4. Enter the EclEmma update site URL

Enter the following details in the Add Storage window.

• Name: EclEmma (or whatever name you want)
• Location: https://update.eclemma.org/
• Click OK and wait for the available plugins to load.

5. Select EclEmma code coverage

• Select EclEmma Code Coverage from the list of available software, then click Next.

6. Follow the installation instructions

• Click Next again to review the installation details. Accept the license agreement and click to finish to begin the installation.

7. Restart eclipse

• When the installation is complete, Eclipse will prompt you to restart. Click Restart now to apply changes

This way, EclEmma will be successfully installed in your Eclipse IDE, allowing you to use the code coverage feature

Method 2: Install the plugin using the .jar/.zip file

If you cannot use the updated site You can download the .jar or .zip file and install the EclEmma plugin manually. Here are step-by-step instructions for doing this.

1. Plugin download

• Go to the EclEmma download page and download the latest version of the EclEmma plugin as a .zip file.

2. Extract the .zip file (if available)

• If you downloaded the .zip file, extract it to a location on your computer.

3. Find the features and plugins folder:

• Inside the extracted folder Search the features and plugins directory.

4. Navigate to your Eclipse installation directory

• Find the directory on your computer where Eclipse is installed, typically in a path such as C:\Program Files\Eclipse or ~/eclipse.

5. Copy the features and plugins folder:

• Copy the features and plug-ins folder from the extracted file to the dropins folder in your Eclipse installation directory. If the dropins folder does not exist, you can create one.

6. Restart eclipse

• Make a copy of the folder and restart your Eclipse IDE for the changes to take effect.

7. Installation verification

• To confirm that EclEmma was successfully installed, go to Help → About Eclipse IDE, then click Installation details. Find EclEmma in the list of installed software.

Conclusion

In conclusion, installing plugins in Eclipse without the Marketplace is a straightforward process that can be accomplished by downloading the plugin files directly and adding them to your Eclipse installation. By following the steps outlined above, you can enhance your Eclipse environment with the specific tools and features you need for your development projects.

Whether you're working in Java, web development, or any other area, having the right plugins installed will help you work more efficiently and effectively. Remember to regularly check for updates and manage your plugins to ensure optimal performance of your Eclipse IDE..