How to Install Eclipse IDE on Ubuntu 24.04

Download and install Eclipse

The official installer is a tarball (a compressed archive) that contains a small graphical setup program. In short, you do this:

1. Download the⬇️ Linux x86_64 tarball package from the Eclipse website.
2. Extract it to your home folder.
3. Open the extracted folder and run eclipse-inst.
4. In the wizard, choose Eclipse IDE for Java Developers, select your Java installation path, and click install.

The steps below cover each part in detail. This method needs no administrator rights if you install Eclipse into a folder you own, such as your home directory.

Start by downloading the installer. You can do this in the browser or from the terminal.

1. Open the Eclipse download page in your browser.
2. Find the Eclipse Installer built for Linux with the x86_64 architecture. Most desktop and laptop PCs use this one.
3. Click Download to start the transfer. The file lands in your Downloads folder unless your browser is set to ask.

To download from the command line instead, copy the download link from the page and pass it to the wget command. Run it from the folder where you want the file saved.

wget https://eclipse.mirror.rafal.ca/oomph/epp/2024-03/R/eclipse-inst-jre-linux64.tar.gz

Once the download finishes, extract the archive with the terminal command below. Run it from the folder that holds the downloaded file, usually Downloads. If the terminal says the file doesn’t exist, check the exact file name in that folder and adjust the command to match.

tar -xzf eclipse-inst-jre-linux64.tar.gz

Next, change into the extracted folder and run the installer executable with the commands below. You should see a new folder containing the eclipse-inst file. If the shell says permission denied, the file has lost its executable flag, which can happen if the archive was unpacked with a graphical tool.

cd eclipse-installer && ./eclipse-inst

The installation wizard opens a few seconds after you run the script. It shows a list of Eclipse packages.

1. Click Eclipse IDE for Java Developers to continue with this tutorial.

The other entries in the list are for C/C++, web and enterprise work. If you later want a different flavor, run the installer again and pick another one.

The next screen asks where Eclipse should go and which Java it should use.

1. Pick the Java version you want from the Java VM field. Eclipse 2024-03 needs Java 17 or newer to run.
2. Check the installation folder. The default, a folder in your home directory, is fine for most people.
3. Click the INSTALL button.
4. If a license agreement window appears, read it and accept it to continue.

A progress bar shows the download and setup. This can take several minutes, depending on your connection.

When the installation finishes, the wizard shows a LAUNCH button.

1. Make sure the create start menu⊞ entry and desktop shortcut options are still selected. With them on, you can find and open Eclipse later without hunting through menus.
2. Click LAUNCH.
3. When Eclipse asks for a workspace folder, accept the default or choose your own, then click Launch. This is where your projects will be stored.

Eclipse is now ready to use. You should see the Welcome screen, and you can close it to reach the main workbench.

To open Eclipse later, click its icon on the desktop. If you left the start menu entry option on, you can also find it by searching for Eclipse in the applications menu. If the desktop icon shows a lock or a warning when you double-click it, right-click it and choose the option that allows launching.

Install Eclipse using Snap

The Snap method installs Eclipse with one terminal command. It needs snapd, the service that runs Snap packages, to be active on your system. Ubuntu 24.04 includes snapd by default, so you usually only need to confirm it. Then run sudo snap install eclipse –classic to download and set up the application automatically.

The –classic flag is required because Eclipse needs access to your files and tools outside the usual Snap sandbox. You need an account with sudo rights, and you will be asked for your password.

The first job is to make sure the Snap package manager is available. Eclipse is distributed as a Snap package, which keeps updates and deployment simple. If snapd is missing from your system, for example on a stripped-down install, install it with the command below. If it is already present, the command reports that and changes nothing.

sudo apt install snapd

Run the command below to pull Eclipse through the Snap package manager. The Snap Store installs the Eclipse IDE for Java developers by default.

Enter your password when prompted. The terminal shows download progress and prints a confirmation line when the install completes. The download is large, so it can take a while on a slow connection.

sudo snap install eclipse --classic

After the installation completes, you can start Eclipse from the desktop.

1. Click Show Applications at the bottom of the Dock on the left sidebar.
2. Type Eclipse into the search🔍 box.
3. Click the Eclipse icon. Choose a workspace folder if Eclipse asks for one.

You can pin the icon to the Dock by right-clicking it while it runs and choosing the pin option.

You can also start the app from the command line with the utility below. This is handy if the icon doesn’t show up right away.

snap run eclipse

To remove the Snap version, run the terminal command below. It removes the application, but your workspace folder and projects stay where they are, so your code isn’t deleted. Delete the workspace folder yourself if you no longer need it.

The App Center on Ubuntu 24.04 is a graphical way to install Eclipse IDE. It uses the same Snap package as the previous method, so the result is the same. You just click instead of typing.

1. Open the App Center.
2. Type Eclipse into the search🔍 box.
3. Click Install.

Eclipse IDE is then added to your Ubuntu desktop. The steps below walk through each screen.

When the App Center window opens, click the search icon at the top and look for Eclipse. If you see several results, pick the one named Eclipse, not a plugin or a similar-looking tool.

Install the application as follows.

1. Click the Eclipse entry to open its page.
2. Click Install.
3. Enter your password if Ubuntu asks you to confirm.
4. Wait for the progress indicator to finish. The button then changes to an open option.

When the installation finishes, click Show Applications in the Dock on the left sidebar, search for Eclipse, and open it. To remove it later, open the App Center, find Eclipse again and use the uninstall option.

That completes the setup process.

Conclusion:

You can install Eclipse IDE on Ubuntu 24.04 in several ways, so you can pick the one that suits how you work. Here are the key takeaways:

• VersatilityEclipse IDE is a powerful tool for Java development and supports multiple programming languages through plugins.
• Multiple Installation MethodsOptions to install Eclipse include downloading directly from the Eclipse website, using the Snap package manager, or through the App Center.
• Ease of UseEach method provides a user-friendly experience, ensuring developers can quickly start.
• Cross-Platform CompatibilityEclipse runs on various operating systems, making it an excellent choice for developers in different environments.
• Community SupportAs an open-source IDE, Eclipse benefits from a large community that contributes to its development and provides support.

Once Eclipse is installed, you can develop, debug and manage Java projects in one flexible workspace. Enjoy building software!