Adding Play! Framework play start and stop to eclipse

Question

I'm currently using Eclipse for a project and also the Play! Framework. I wanted to add buttons to this dropdown in Eclipse

that say :

Play Start myfile1

play stop myfile1

play start myfile2

play stop myfile2

I have it for one project but not a new project I am starting. I'm not setting them up right because i keep getting an error:
'Launching play1 start filename' has encountered a problem.

Exception occurred executing command line.

I don't know how I'm messing it up. Something to do with where the locations I'm setting? Here is the first screen in configurations that i am trying and it isn't working. Help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Answer 1

I generally have Play running in a separate console window. Do play start and then play run. Leave it running all all. The play app is now available at localhost:9000. Then you can start Eclipse and start coding. Play will re-compile and reload the app on-the-fly. Generally you don't have to stop play (type ctrl-D) unless you make a substantial change.

Answer 2

OK! I have the solution.

1) Click on the dropdown play button with briefcase

2) click External Tools Configurations.

• New Configuration underneath "Program"

  Name it. ie play start filename

  Location: ${play}

  click Variables

  Edit Variables

  New Variable

  Variable Name: play

  Value: D:\\play-1.2.5\\play.bat (or wherever you have your play.bat file.)

  Ok, Ok, ok, go back to main External Tools Configurations screen.

Working Directory: ${workspace_loc}

Arguments: start filename

Switch tab to "Common" tab.

Click the radial button for Shared file and go to your app file:

ie \\filename

Check "External Tools"

Every other default should be fine. Click apply and it should start your play application. Do the same for "stop" but replace "start" with "stop."