How Do I: Compile a Single Java File?

To selectively compile a single JAVA file, you can integrate a custom compilation script into the Workshop IDE by declaring the custom script as an "external tool". You can then pass single JAVA files from the IDE to the custom script.

Declaring a Custom Compilation Script as an "External Tool"

On Windows operating systems, open the the Workshop Preferences file located at C:\Documents and Settings\[Windows_user_name]\.workshop.pref.

Edit the element <component name="workshop.workspace.tools.CustomToolAction"> to include your custom compilation script. This element determines the options that appear in the menu bar Tools-->External Tools.

    <component name="workshop.workspace.tools.CustomToolAction">
      <node name="javac">
        <option name="capture" value="true" />
        <option name="command" value="compile.cmd  "${file.path}"" /> 
        <option name="directory" value="C:\build_scripts" />
        <option name="interactive" value="false" />
      </node>
    </component>

The element <node name="javac"> causes a menu option named "javac" to appear on the menu bar Tools-->External Tools.

The element <option name="directory" value="C:\build_scripts" /> tells Workshop where to look for your build script (you can place the build script in any local directory).

The element <option name="command" value="compile.cmd" "${file.path}" /> tells Workshop to pass the currently open file to the build script.

Place the Custom Compilation Script in the Appropriate Directory

Save your build script in the directory specified in the element <option name="directory" value="C:\build_scripts" />. Below is a build script that you can use as a template.

compile.cmd

    set PATH=D:\jdk1.4.2_04\bin;
  
    set CLASSPATH=MyClasses
   
    set CLASS_DIR=C:\bea\weblogic81\samples\workshop\SamplesApp\WebApp\WEB-INF\classes
   
    javac -d %CLASS_DIR% -classpath %CLASSPATH% %1
   
    echo compiled %1
   
    popd