Skip to main content

Eclipse Auto Refresh Browser on Save

Automatically refresh the browser window when saving a file in Eclipse IDE

All of my Django webdesign (yes SEOing there) work is done in the excellent and plugin rich Eclipse IDE on a Windows machine. The edit/preview workflow pattern is make some change, save the files (CTR+S), swtich to browser (ALT+Tab), refresh the windows (F5), switch back to Eclipse IDE (ALT+Tab) and rinse and repeat. Even though I can do this quickly it is repetitive and cumbersome and the seconds it takes turn into minutes and hours wasted over many projects.

Googling you will find posts that show how to automate the Alt+Tab F5 Alt+Tab sequence using VBScript and setting it as an automatic builder in Eclipse.


Now this is a good enough solution and it does work very well except that it does not work with all browsers. Google Chrome being one of them where the SendKeys seem to be ignored. However using an alternative utility NirCmd I was able to make it work as follows:
  • Download NirCmd and extract 'nircmd.exe' somewhere into your project (its KISS this way).
  • Create the following 'nircmd-chrome-focus+f5.bat' batch file somewhere in your project:

    ECHO Off
    REM This little batch files calls the awesome nircmd utility to focus Chrome window send an F5 and swtich
    REM back to Eclipse. This is no longer possible with VBScript in WIN7 as Chrome can only be focused but won't 
    REM accept key sends unless a click is made. Seriously donate to the NirSoft for making this tool. 
    
    %~dp0nircmd.exe win activate ititle "- Google Chrome"
    %~dp0nircmd.exe win max ititle "- Google Chrome"
    %~dp0nircmd.exe sendkey f5 press
    %~dp0nircmd.exe win activate ititle "- Eclipse"
    %~dp0nircmd.exe win max ititle "- Eclipse" 
    
    
  • Add the batch file as a project builder 'Project > Properties > Builder > New' and ensure 'Project > Build Automatically' and 'Build Options' > 'During auto builds' is selected; see above screenshot for an idea. 
Feel free to comment or share this if it has hepled you, also consider donating to NirSoft and check out some of their other utilities.

Comments

  1. Thanks for this tutorial - it took me about 5 minutes to get the setup working. Gives the hands a break.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Duplicate value found: duplicates value on record with id: <unknown>.

System.DmlException: Insert failed. First exception on row 0; first error: DUPLICATE_VALUE, duplicate value found: <unknown> duplicates value on record with id: <unknown>. The above error is triggered in the database layer and caused by a trigger or workflow outside of your main code of block that is bubbling this exception. This is rather difficult to track down especially if you are unfamiliar with the code, I am sharing my procedure in the hopes this saves you time - if you find this helpful drop me a line or follow me on twitter @danielsokolows . This error is caused by unique field constraint on the object, so the first step is to examine the object and locate the API names of all unique fieds. You can do this through SF direclty 'Setup < Customize &lt <object being inserted> &lt Fields' or by downloading the `src/objects` metadata information and searching for <unique> ; I preffer the latter and actually download ALL matadata i

Softeher 'Error occurred. (Error code: 2)' sollution

Protocol error occurred. Error was returned from the destination server. The Softether server by default to run on port 443 , if you server also hosts normal https then 443 is already taken and so Softether can't bind to it. When you run `vpncmd` it attempts to connect, find an active port, but of course fails with 'Protocol error occurred. Error was returned from the destination server.' because it's not actually connecting to the vpn server. By default Softether also listens on 992 , 1194 , and 5555 so the sollution is to modify specify `localhost:5555` when executing the `vpncmnd`. If this has helped you feel free to comment or follow me on twitter @danielsokolows .

How to child proof a fireplace

DIY - Do it yourself fireplace child guard Our wonderful 8.5 month old Sofia has become a crawling race car with an untamed thirst for exploration. And so with the cold nights approaching we needed to child proof the fireplace. This however proved to be more difficult than would reasonably expect, I've checked the local Toys "R" Us, Walmart, and even a Canadian Tire with no success for a ready to use product. Internet search was more fruitful and returned a few online stores one could order from, however in all honestly they didn't look too sturdy to me. So I build my own relatively quickly and inexpensively. Materials needed is a privacy plastic lattice - the smallest hole pattern - a few screws and anchors; tools needed are a drill, and a handsaw if you don't have the lattice cut at the store - that’s it. The construction consits of screwing the lattice into the wall and the final product is easiest explained through following pictures.