In this article, we cover the steps to install Eclipse on Linux Mint. When it comes to coding in Java, Eclipse is the most popular IDE that programmers use. The add-on tools available for software developers in Eclipse are really useful.
We will be using snaps to download Eclipse. Snap is a new package manager for Linux.
Snaps are cross-distribution, dependency-free, and easy to install applications packaged with all their dependencies to run on all major Linux distributions.
They make it easier to install applications on Linux. Snaps are downloaded from the snap store.
One of the best features about snaps is that they are auto-updating and much more secure as compared to their non-snaps counterparts.
Steps to Install Eclipse on Linux Mint
Let’s start with installing snap on our system.
If you already have snap installed, you can proceed to the next step.
1. Install the Snap Package Manager
Snap is available for following versions of Linux Mint :
- 18.2 (Sonya)
- 18.3 (Sylvia)
- 19 (Tara)
- 19.1 (Tessa)
- 20 (Ulyana).
On Linux Mint 20, you need to remove /etc/apt/preferences.d/nosnap.pref before installing Snap. This can be done using the command line:
$ sudo rm /etc/apt/preferences.d/nosnap.pref
$ sudo apt update
To install Snap use the command :
$ sudo apt update
$ sudo apt install snapd
Alternatively, you can install Snap from the Software Manager application.
2. Install Java
Before we install Eclipse on Linux Mint, you need to install Java on your system.
Installing Java means installing Java JDK (Java Development Kit) and Java JRE (Java Runtime Environment).
To verify whether you have Java on your system or not, use the command :
$ java -version
If you already have Java installed, you will see the version. Else, you’ll see an output that says “command not found”.
The command to install Java JRE is :
$ sudo apt install default-jre
The command to install Java JDK is :
$ sudo apt install default-jdk
You can refer to this tutorial, to go over Java installation in detail.
After successful installation you should an output like this on checking the version :
3. Install the Eclipse IDE on Linux Mint
After installing Java, we can proceed with installing Eclipse on our Linux Mint system.
Thanks to snaps, installing Eclipse on Linux is just a command away.
$ sudo snap install eclipse --classic
Installing Eclipse can take a few minutes. You can get more information about the Eclipse snap using :
$ snap info eclipse
4. Launch Eclipse
To launch eclipse from the terminal use the command :
$ eclipse
Alternatively, you can also launch it from the application manager.
Conclusion
In this tutorial you learnt an easy way to install Eclipse on Linux Mint. Snaps provide an easy and convenient way to install applications.
You MUST warn your users that removing “/etc/apt/preferences.d/nosnap.pref” and installing “snapd” is not without consequences!!!!
– If this file exists and if “snap” is disabled by default in Mint it’s because it’s non free and dangerous!
See the Mint maintainer’s explanations here: https://linuxmint-user-guide.readthedocs.io/en/latest/snap.html
– If you want snap, then use an insecure/non-free linux distrib that enables it by default (e.g. Ubuntu)
– If you want Eclipse in Mint, just install it with the installer :
http://www.itzgeek.com/how-tos/linux/linux-mint-how-tos/how-to-install-eclipse-ide-on-linux-mint-19.html