blog

Installing Eclipse on Windows 8 and connecting to TFS 2012

Published on
3 minute read

I will be running a bunch of demos on a couple of weeks with TFS & Eclipse working together. Although I have a cloud instance that I can connect to, what about when I have no network.

So I have to get familiar with the interface and what better way to start than to get everything working on Windows 8.

I have pre-downloaded Java and Eclipse so I just need to copy them to my VM to begin. The JDK is first as nothing will work without it.

Installing Eclipse on Windows 8 and connecting to TFS 2012  

Figure: First install the JDK

Its a really uneventful install that involved lots of “Next” clicking…

Installing Eclipse on Windows 8 and connecting to TFS 2012  

Figure: Unpack Eclipse

Eclipse does not require an install so you just unpack and run… from habit I always drop the Eclipse folder into Program Files. Come on… it gives me warm fuzzies…

Installing Eclipse on Windows 8 and connecting to TFS 2012  

Figure: Pin Eclipse to Start

I want to be able to launch Eclipse without having to find the folder. To add the Eclipse icon to the new Metro interface all you do is right click the executable and “Pin to Start”…

Installing Eclipse on Windows 8 and connecting to TFS 2012  

Figure: New metro Start screen

To make sure that everything is in the right place I want to start Eclipse and connect to TFS.

Installing Eclipse on Windows 8 and connecting to TFS 2012  

Figure: Install new software

I don’t know how Martin Woodward did it but he managed to get Microsoft to host an update site for the Eclipse plugin. I am loading the latest Team Explorer Everywhere preview, but you can get the released version as well.

The new version works against Team Foundation Service, TFS 2008, TFS 2010 and TFS 2012 so I feel no compulsion to load anything but the latest and greatest.

Installing Eclipse on Windows 8 and connecting to TFS 2012  

Figure: Enter the Update site link

A couple of clicks later and the plugin will be downloaded and installed by Eclipse.

Installing Eclipse on Windows 8 and connecting to TFS 2012  

Figure: Auto download and install

After the install you will be asked to restart Eclipse and voila, you now have the TFS plugin installed.

Installing Eclipse on Windows 8 and connecting to TFS 2012  

Figure: Where ma stuff!

As the Eclipse plugin follows the Eclipse paradigm if you are looking for the same look and feel of everything presented on a plate for you then you will be disappointed…

So where is it hiding? How do I get stuff from Version Control?

Installing Eclipse on Windows 8 and connecting to TFS 2012  

Figure: Import and Export from Version Control

But where is my team Explorer?

Installing Eclipse on Windows 8 and connecting to TFS 2012  

Figure: Team Explorer

Now we just  connect to TFS, in this case I am connecting to the new TFS Preview, but it could just as well be a local TFS 2010 or TFS 2012.

Installing Eclipse on Windows 8 and connecting to TFS 2012  

Figure: Adding a Team Foundation Server

And that’s about it. I am no Java expert, but it is like any other Version Control system except I am able to associate my Check-In’s with the work that I was asked to do Installing Eclipse on Windows 8 and connecting to TFS 2012

So really its way better than just Version Control…

-Don’t leave your Java developers out of your Application Life-cycle Management (ALM) strategy. According to Gartner Visual Studio ALM is the best, most feature-full ALM platform and it supports Java just as well as .NET. Contact [info@nwcadence.com](mailto:info@nwcadence.com?subject= Recommended through MrHinsh - Installing Eclipse on Windows 8 and connecting to TFS 2012) today…

tools-and-techniques blog configuration eclipse infrastructure nwcadence tfs tfs2010 tfs2012 tools

Connect with Martin Hinshelwood

If you've made it this far, it's worth connecting with our principal consultant and coach, Martin Hinshelwood, for a 30-minute 'ask me anything' call.

Our Happy Clients​

We partner with businesses across diverse industries, including finance, insurance, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, technology, engineering, transportation, hospitality, entertainment, legal, government, and military sectors.​

Boeing Logo
Capita Secure Information Solutions Ltd Logo
Healthgrades Logo
Flowmaster (a Mentor Graphics Company) Logo
Genus Breeding Ltd Logo

CR2

Workday Logo
Cognizant Microsoft Business Group (MBG) Logo
SuperControl Logo
Qualco Logo
Sage Logo
ProgramUtvikling Logo
Akaditi Logo
Microsoft Logo
Slicedbread Logo
Xceptor - Process and Data Automation Logo
Emerson Process Management Logo
Kongsberg Maritime Logo
Washington Department of Transport Logo
Department of Work and Pensions (UK) Logo
Ghana Police Service Logo
New Hampshire Supreme Court Logo
Nottingham County Council Logo
Royal Air Force Logo
Epic Games Logo
Milliman Logo
Deliotte Logo
New Signature Logo
Bistech Logo

CR2