Install Eclipse plug-ins

2.2.2 Install Eclipse plug-ins

Once Eclipse is started, we can proceed to install some relevant plug-ins.

Once Eclipse is started, we can proceed to install some relevant plug-ins.

What is a plug-in?

What is a plug-in?

A

A plug-plug-in in is is an an exteexternal software module that rnal software module that exteextends Eclipse functionds Eclipse functionalitinalities. A es. A plugplug-in-in must adhere to a standard API defined by Eclipse developers. In this way, it is possible for must adhere to a standard API defined by Eclipse developers. In this way, it is possible for third party developers to add features to the IDE without changing the main source code.

third party developers to add features to the IDE without changing the main source code.

We will install several plug-ins in this book to adapt Eclipse to our needs.

We will install several plug-ins in this book to adapt Eclipse to our needs.

The first plug-in we need to install is the

The first plug-in we need to install is the  C/C++ Development Tools SDK  C/C++ Development Tools SDK , also known as Eclipse, also known as Eclipse CDT. CDT provides a fully functional C and C++ Integrated Development Environment based CDT. CDT provides a fully functional C and C++ Integrated Development Environment based on the Eclipse platform. Features include: support for project creation and managed build for on the Eclipse platform. Features include: support for project creation and managed build for various tool-chains, standard make build, source navigation, various source knowledge tools, such various tool-chains, standard make build, source navigation, various source knowledge tools, such as type hierarchy, call graph, include browser, macro definition browser, code editor with syntax as type hierarchy, call graph, include browser, macro definition browser, code editor with syntax highlighting, folding and hyperlink navigation, source code refactoring and code generation, visual highlighting, folding and hyperlink navigation, source code refactoring and code generation, visual debugging tools, including memory, registers, and disassembly viewers.

debugging tools, including memory, registers, and disassembly viewers.

To install CDT we have to follow this procedure. Go to

To install CDT we have to follow this procedure. Go to  Help->Install new software… Help->Install new software… as shown in as shown in Figure 3

Figure 3..

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Figure 3: Eclipse plug-in install menu Figure 3: Eclipse plug-in install menu

In the

In the plug-iplug-ins install windows, we ns install windows, we need to need to enablenable e other plug-iother plug-in n reposirepositorietories s clicclicking onking on  Available  Available  software Sites 

software Sites  link. In the Preferences window, select the “ link. In the Preferences window, select the “Install/Update->Available Software Sites Install/Update->Available Software Sites ””

entry on the left and

entry on the left and then check “then check “CDT CDT ” entry as shown in” entry as shown in Figure 4 Figure 4. Click on the OK button.. Click on the OK button.

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Figure 4: Eclipse plug-in repository selection Figure 4: Eclipse plug-in repository selection

Now, from “

Now, from “Work width Work width ” drop-down menu choose “” drop-down menu choose “CDT CDT ” repository, as shown in” repository, as shown in Figure 5 Figure 5, and, and then select “

then select “CDT Main Features->C/C++ Development Tools SDK CDT Main Features->C/C++ Development Tools SDK ” as shown in” as shown in Figure 6 Figure 6. Click on. Click on

““Next Next ” button and follow the instructions to install the plug-in. At ” button and follow the instructions to install the plug-in. At the end of installation process (thethe end of installation process (the installation takes a while depending your Internet connection speed), restart Eclipse when requested.

installation takes a while depending your Internet connection speed), restart Eclipse when requested.

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Figure 5: CDT repository selection

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Figure 6: CDT plug-in selection

Now we have to install the GNU ARM plug-ins for Eclipse¹⁰. These plug-ins add a rich set of features to Eclipse CDT to interface GCC ARM tool-chain. Moreover, they provide specific functionalities for the STM32 platform. Plug-ins are developed and maintained by Liviu Ionescu, who did a really excellent work in providing support for the GCC ARM tool-chain. Without these plug-ins it is almost impossible to develop and run code with Eclipse for the STM32 platform. To install GCC ARM plug-ins go to Help->Install New Software… and click on the “Add…” button. Fill the text fields in the following way (see Figure 7):

Name: GNU ARM Eclipse Plug-ins

Location: http://gnuarmeclipse.sourceforge.net/updates

and click the “OK” button. After a while, the complete list of available plug-ins will be shown. Select plug-ins to install as shown in Figure 8.

¹⁰http://gnuarmeclipse.github.io/

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Figure 7: GNU ARM plug-ins repository configuration

Figure 8: GNU ARM plug-ins selection

Click on “Next ” button and follow the instructions to install the plug-ins. At the end of installation process, restart Eclipse when requested.

Eclipse is now essentially configured to start developing STM32 applications. We will install additional plug-ins later, in a next chapter dedicated to debugging. Now we need the cross-compiler suite to generate the firmware for the STM32 family.

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