Java open existing project in Eclipse

Question

I am new to Java.. Eclipse etc. We have a working Java application, all the .java files and .class files are available in the file system. The .jar file is executed once a hour and it does it job. Now the developer is gone leaving behind this application.

I dont want to touch the existing set-up. So I have downloaded this Eclipse Standard/SDK Kepler Service Release 2 on my laptop and want to try out some modifications.

After googling "how to open existing java appl in Eclipse" gives very useful info, but none is of use to me. I did File> Import> General etc. etc. but Eclipse keeps saying "No projects are found to import".

In the file system where I have my .java files the project it seems is split into multiple folders, i.e if I open the main source folders, there are 10 sub folders and all contains .java files. I also know from the production environment that all those 10 folders .java files are used.

So I have this .java and .class and .jar file. So how can I import it into Eclipse on my laptop.

• Oliver Charlesworth: Surely the source code (etc.) is in your source control system? You shouldn't need to "open" the Jar itself.
• Hauke Ingmar Schmidt: Honestly, it is very optimistic to think that you can change the application in a useful way with this state of knowledge. If this is a crucial application you need to hire someone to do this.
• half-baked prgrmr: @his so what do you suggest, should I quit development and look for alternate career?
• Hauke Ingmar Schmidt: No! Definitely not. I don't know if you are doing this for learning purposes. Then I have to admit that I think it is a weak approach. You need to learn fundamentals systematically, not by just doing something random. If it is a real task that needs to be done then you can't expect to do it without prior knowledge. I absolutely don't know you personally but from the question it is clear that you just now will not be productive if this is a real task.

Answer 1

Probably you have the source code but it's not an eclipse project. Try to see How to create a project from existing source in Eclipse and then find it?

• half-baked prgrmr: It was made using Eclipse
• Victor Laerte: Are you able to find a .project file inside the root folder?
• half-baked prgrmr: On prod I have under the directory 4 folders; .settings, src, bin, doc and 2 files .classpath and .project
• Lasitha Benaragama: seems .setting file is missed. setting file contains information related to project and workspace refer this - stackoverflow.com/questions/1551008/…