How to configure Eclipse 3.0.2 on Mac OS 10 to run WebObjects

As with any open source project, lack of documentation can be really frustrating. So here is a quick overview on how to configure Eclipse 3.0.2 to run WebObjects.

You'll need a bunch of plug-ins provided by WOLips. Adding them manually can be daunting, at least it was for me! So here is how you can let Eclipse do the job for you:

1. From the Help menu, click on Software Updates, then Find and Install.

2. Click on the option Search for new features to install. Click Next.

3. Click on New Remote Site. Enter http://www.objectstyle.org/woproject/update/. OK, and click Next.

4. You should now see a list of packages to install. I chose those that pertain to WebObjects, or I thought they did; I chose WOLips Goodies Mac and WOLips. You'll likely see a number of versions for each package. I chose the latest.

Now that that's done, let's start with a WO project:

1. From Window, click on Open Perspective, and then Other. You should see WOLips listed; select it.

2. Go to File, then New. Choose WOApplication.

3. To compile and run the application, right-click on the root node of the application in the project explorer pane, and choose Build Project. To run it, do the same, click Run, and then WOApplication. Voila!

Happy WOing!

How to install WebObjects 5.2.3 on Mac OS 10

This post assumes you are starting with a clean install of WebObjects (WO).

Before you proceed with the installation, make sure to run software updates and install any Java-related updates (currently 1.4.2).

OK, let's install WO:

1. Under the Developer folder in the WebObjects CD, run the package WebObjects_X_developer.mpkg. Depending on your license, you may have limited threading support and no load balancing (at least with the Developer's license). You can run the WebObjects_X_deployment.mpkg after the the developer package installation has completed to enable load-balancing. I haven't read much about the details of these packages, but you get the idea!

2. Click here to read about the updates included in WO 5.2.3. You have the option of either downloading the update package manually (not recommended, although you can find it here), or through Software Updates.

If you run the update manually, you may get an error saying "You cannot install this software on this volume. This update can be installed only on a volume on which WebObjects 5.2.2 Developer is already installed."

Solution? Try a combination of restarting and running Software Updates for few times. Weird, I know, but the WO update will eventually show up in the list!

Happy WOing!