Eclipse Keyboard Shortcuts for New Java Developers

Code Templates

• main + Ctrl + Space: Generate main method



public static void main(String[] args) {
    
}

• sysout + Ctrl + Space: System.out.println()

System.out.println();

• for + Ctrl + Space: Generate for loop

for (int i = 0; i < array.length; i++) {
    
}

• while + Ctrl + Space: Generate while loop

while (condition) {
    
}

• try + Ctrl + Space: Generate try-catch block

try {
    
} catch (Exception e) {
    e.printStackTrace();
}

Code Navigation

• Ctrl + Click or F3: Go to declaration
• Alt + ←: Go back to previous location
• Alt + →: Go forward to next location
• Ctrl + O: Quick outline of current file
• Ctrl + Shift + T: Open Type (find classes)

Code Editing

• Ctrl + /: Toggle line comment

// This is a commented line
// Uncomment by pressing Ctrl + / again

• Ctrl + D: Delete current line
• Alt + ↑/↓: Move current line up/down
• Ctrl + Shift + F: Format code
• Ctrl + 1: Quick fix / code assist

Refactoring

• Alt + Shift + R: Rename
• Alt + Shift + M: Extract method

private void extractedMethod() {
    // Selected code will be moved here
}

• Alt + Shift + L: Extract local variable

String extractedVariable = "value";

• Alt + Shift + I: Inline
• Alt + Shift + V: Move

Eclipse on Mac

For Mac users, most shortcuts are similar but use the Command (⌘) key instead of Ctrl. Here are some Mac-specific shortcuts:

• ⌘ + Space: Content assist (equivalent to Ctrl + Space on Windows)
• ⌘ + F: Find and replace
• ⌘ + Shift + F: Format code
• ⌘ + Option + R: Rename refactoring
• ⌘ + Option + M: Extract method

Note: On Mac, use ⌘ (Command) instead of Ctrl, and Option instead of Alt for most shortcuts.

Conclusion

Mastering these keyboard shortcuts will significantly improve your productivity as a Java developer using Eclipse. Practice using these shortcuts regularly, and you'll find yourself coding more efficiently in no time.