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Asked: 2024-09-25T14:30:05+05:30 In:

How can I set environment variables for Eclipse when launching it from the Unity launcher on Ubuntu?

I’ve been trying to figure out how to set environment variables for Eclipse when launching it from the Unity launcher on my Ubuntu system, and I’m hitting a bit of a wall here. It seems like a simple enough task, but I’m getting lost in the details and could use some guidance from the community.

So, here’s the deal: I often work on projects that require specific environment variables to be set before I launch Eclipse. For instance, I need to set `JAVA_HOME`, and maybe a few others depending on the project. I figured it would be straightforward, but after scouring the internet and testing a few things, it looks like there isn’t a clear and concise solution, at least not one that fits my needs.

I’ve tried modifying the .desktop file for Eclipse located in the `/usr/share/applications/` directory, thinking that maybe I could just add the environment variable settings right there in the Exec line. For example, I attempted something like this:

“`bash
Exec=sh -c “export JAVA_HOME=/path/to/java && /path/to/eclipse/eclipse”
“`

But no luck! Eclipse launches without recognizing the environment variables I specified. Instead, it seems like I’m just running into default settings, which doesn’t help when I need my custom configurations.

Also, I read about creating a wrapper script that sets the environment variables and then calls Eclipse from there. This sounds like it might work, but I’m not sure how to set the script up or where to place it for the Unity launcher to recognize it easily. I’m not the most technical person when it comes to scripting, so if anyone has experience with this, I would really appreciate a step-by-step approach.

Are there any seasoned Ubuntu users here who have managed to set it up successfully? I’d love to know how you all approach this. Any tips or tricks would be super helpful! If you have example scripts or even a preferred method you’ve used, please share! Just looking to get a handle on this so I can focus on my development without distractions. Thanks in advance!

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    2 Answers


    1. To set environment variables for Eclipse when launching it from the Unity launcher on your Ubuntu system, you can indeed create a wrapper script that initializes the variables before starting Eclipse. First, create a new shell script file. You can do this by opening a terminal and running the following command:

            touch ~/eclipse-launcher.sh

      Next, open the script file in a text editor of your choice and add the environment variable settings along with the command to launch Eclipse. For example:

            #!/bin/bash
      export JAVA_HOME=/path/to/java
      /path/to/eclipse/eclipse

      Make sure to give the script execute permissions by running:

            chmod +x ~/eclipse-launcher.sh

      Now, you need to create a .desktop file in `~/.local/share/applications/` for Unity to recognize your script. Create a file called `eclipse-custom.desktop` and add the following content:

            [Desktop Entry]
      Version=1.0
      Name=Eclipse Custom
      Exec=/home/username/eclipse-launcher.sh
      Icon=/path/to/eclipse/icon.png
      Terminal=false
      Type=Application
      Categories=Development;IDE;

      Replace `username` with your actual username and adjust the icon path accordingly. After saving the `.desktop` file, you should see “Eclipse Custom” in your Unity launcher, and launching it will set your specified environment variables before starting Eclipse.




    2. Setting Environment Variables for Eclipse on Ubuntu

      How to Set Environment Variables for Eclipse on Ubuntu

      I can totally relate to the struggle of getting Eclipse to recognize environment variables. It can be a little tricky, but here’s a step-by-step guide that should help you set it up!

      1. Create a Wrapper Script

      First, let’s create a script that will set the environment variables and then launch Eclipse. Open your terminal and follow these steps:

          # Navigate to your home directory (or wherever you want to create the script)
    cd ~
    
    # Create a new script file
    nano launch-eclipse.sh

      In the script, add the following lines:

          #!/bin/bash
    export JAVA_HOME=/path/to/java
    # Add any other environment variables you need here

    # Launch Eclipse
    /path/to/eclipse/eclipse

      Make sure to replace /path/to/java and /path/to/eclipse with the actual paths on your system.

      2. Make the Script Executable

          chmod +x launch-eclipse.sh

      3. Place the Script in a Suitable Location

      To make the script easily accessible, you can move it to the /usr/local/bin directory.

          sudo mv launch-eclipse.sh /usr/local/bin/

      4. Update the .desktop File

      Now, you’ll want to edit the .desktop file for Eclipse to launch your script instead. Find your Eclipse .desktop file, usually located in /usr/share/applications/:

          sudo nano /usr/share/applications/eclipse.desktop

      Look for the line that starts with Exec=. Replace that line with:

          Exec=launch-eclipse.sh

      5. Now, Launch Eclipse!

      After saving the changes, you should be able to launch Eclipse from the Unity launcher, and it will start with your specified environment variables.

      6. Troubleshooting

      If it doesn’t work, make sure that:

      • The script has execute permissions.
      • All paths in your script are correct.

      Hopefully, this helps you get Eclipse up and running with the right environment variables. Good luck, and happy coding!


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