XMLBuddy for Eclipse

14 May 2007

XML stands for EXtensible Markup Language. It is a markup language much like HTML and it is used to describe data. XML is a popular format in many advanced protocols. Many of the application configuration files are now converted to XML format. Now a days the XML data is also used for inter application communications to a wide extend.

There are many XML plug-ins available for the XML manipulations, but the most popular one is “ XMLBuddy ”. Its a free-ware plug-in and allows XML editing features in Eclipse environment.

First download the plug-in from http://www.xmlbuddy.com. Unzip it and move the folder named “ com.objfac.xmleditor_2.0.9 ” to the plugins folder under Eclipse directory. Now simple open the Eclipse. XML plug-in is read to use.

Now you can see a new menu called “ XML ” added to the menu bar.

Two new icons are also added for creating new XML and DTD files.

Create a new XML file by clicking the “ New XML File ” icon and name it. Type the contents and save it. To validate it, click from menu bar “ XML ” - >“ Validate ”.

Errors will be marked as red and you can correct those.

You can see the outline of your XML document in the outline window.

To change the preferences, click from menu bar “ Window ” - >“ Preferences ” - > “ XMLBuddy ”


Form here, you can change the settings as you like. For example we want to change the color of elements start and end tags..

By default, element’s start and end tags are BLUE and we want to make them RED. This can easily be done from XMLBuddy Preferences window (“ Preferences ” - > “ XMLBuddy ” - >“ XML ” - > “ Colors ”).

Now our xml file looks like this:


	

		Bob Dylan
		USA
		Columbia
10.90
		1985
	
	

		Bonnie Tylor
		UK
		CBS Records
9.90
		1988

Using XMLBuddy definitely saves time if you are working with XML files.

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