05
Thu, Dec
6 New Articles

Practical Linux: Using PDT to Manage Linux

Typography
  • Smaller Small Medium Big Bigger
  • Default Helvetica Segoe Georgia Times

Eclipse provides many pre-configured IDEs, and PDT is perfect for managing Linux.

This is the second in an ongoing series of articles meant to help you create a virtual Linux environment right on your desktop or laptop. As I noted in the first article in the series, I built this series on a set of fantastic video tutorials by Catherine Gaughan-Smith (aka CGS), which can all be found here: Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, and Part 4. This article, though, is a complete departure from that curriculum. CGS uses ssh from her Mac desktop to access the virtual machine, but I’m going to show you how to use Eclipse—and more specifically, the Eclipse PHP Development Tools (PDT)—to access your shiny new virtual machine.

Eclipse, the Best Tool You Should Already Know

If you know me, you know I’m a long-time advocate of the Rational Developer tools from IBM. I’ve evangelized for them since their original incarnation as WebSphere Development Studio Client (WDSC), one of the clunkier IBM names (and considering it’s IBM, that’s saying a lot!). And if you’ve been able to take my advice and join the overwhelming majority of the IBM i developer community, you’re currently working with RDi, and because of that, you’re already familiar with the Eclipse environment. With that in mind, I decided that rather than use the command line to modify my new virtual machine, I’d instead use the available Eclipse tooling for PHP.

I need something that will allow me to securely access and modify the files in my virtual machine, while providing advanced PHP and HTML editing support. As it turns out, Eclipse provides almost exactly the package I need. I say “almost” because in order to get the perfect environment, I have to do a little customization, but the Eclipse community has made it very painless. So without further ado, let’s get started, shall we?

Two Steps Are All You Need

Only two steps are required to install a fully functional PDT environment that can manage your virtual Ubuntu machine (or whatever Linux variant you decide to install). First, install the PDT itself to provide complete PHP and HTML tooling, and second, add the Remote System Explorer to access your virtual machine.

Downloading the PDT can’t be any easier. Just go to the Eclipse PDT page and select the version that matches your development environment. Most of us are on a 64-bit version of Windows, but files exist for OS X and Linux as well. If you’re using Windows, you’ll get a zip file. Simply extract that zip file to an appropriate location on your machine. I like to keep all my Eclipse version together, so I’ll extract it into the folder /eclipse/PDT. This is the only part that could be a little tricky; the zip file that comes down has as its base folder a folder named “eclipse.”

Here’s how I do it. First, I create a folder named eclipse on my hard drive, extract the downloaded zip file into a subfolder also named eclipse. It looks like this:

Practical Linux: Using PDT to Manage Linux - Figure 1 

Figure 1: Extract the contents of the ZIP file into a folder named eclipse.

Now I rename that that subfolder to PDT, and then I launch eclipse.exe from there. It may seem a little convoluted, but I think you’ll appreciate it when in a couple of months you decide to download a different Eclipse-based IDE, such as a Groovy editor or some Agile development tools.

Practical Linux: Using PDT to Manage Linux - Figure 2 

Figure 2: Rename the eclipse subfolder to PDT, and then launch eclipse.exe from that subfolder.

OK, assuming you’ve got your PC set up like mine, it’s time for step two. But you may run into a little problem first. When you start PDT, you may get a message like this:

Practical Linux: Using PDT to Manage Linux - Figure 3 

Figure 3: If you see this message, you don’t have a default JRE installed.

This message appears if you don’t have Java installed and configured. The worst-case scenario here is that you’ll need to go to the Internet and grab a JRE, which is outside the scope of this article, but not to worry; there are lots of tutorials. But you may have a shortcut. All Eclipse-based tools use Java, and that includes RDi. If you’re running RDi, you already have a JRE. You can fix your missing Java issue pretty easily: find the folder where you installed RDi and drill down into the jdk folder. There you’ll find a subfolder named jre. Simply copy that entire folder (and its subfolders) right underneath the folder where you installed the PDT. Now your directory looks like this:

Practical Linux: Using PDT to Manage Linux - Figure 4 

Figure 4: The PDT looks like this with a jre folder added.

The second step is to add the Remote System Explorer view. This is also a simple process, especially with the Eclipse Marketplace. Start the PDT and point it to a new workspace. I have a folder named WS in my root directory, which I then use to create individual workspaces for my work. If you’d like to do the same, just create folder WS in your root and then enter the following when the initial workspace prompt comes up:

Practical Linux: Using PDT to Manage Linux - Figure 5 

Figure 5: I like to create all my workspaces under a folder named WS, as shown here.

In Figure 5, you’ll see that I’m creating a workspace directory named PDT-1 under the root folder WS. Hit Launch and the normal Eclipse Welcome screen comes up. At this point, I’d say that if you’re completely unfamiliar with Eclipse, this would be a good time to take advantage of the many tutorials available. Even if you are an Eclipse aficionado, you may want to take a look at the many PHP-specific topics. Anyway, now that PDT is up, it’s time to get the Remote System Explorer so we can talk to our virtual machine (or really any other server in the shop!).

Access the Eclipse Marketplace from the Help menu as shown in Figure 6.

Practical Linux: Using PDT to Manage Linux - Figure 6 

Figure 6: Getting new components starts with the Eclipse Marketplace.

Practical Linux: Using PDT to Manage Linux - Figure 7 

Figure 7: Search for Remote System and then click Install to add it to your workspace.

Enter the phrase “remote system” in the search box at the top of the dialog and click the magnifying glass to search. After a few moments, you’ll see a list and Remote System Explorer should be at the top. Click on the Install button. You’ll see a progress bar, and eventually you’ll be asked to agree to a license. Finally, after the download and install, you’ll be asked to restart Eclipse; after the restart, the Remote System Explorer will be available!

Using Remote Systems View to Attach to Your Virtual Machine

Before you can connect to your virtual machine, you need to add the Remote Systems view to your workbench. This takes just a couple of steps.

Practical Linux: Using PDT to Manage Linux - Figure 8 

Figure 8: Use the menu Window > Show View > Other… to bring up the Show View dialog.

Practical Linux: Using PDT to Manage Linux - Figure 9 

Figure 9: Then open the Remote Systems view.

The Remote Systems View appears by default in the lower part of the IDE. If you're familiar with Eclipse, you know that you can drag views around wherever you need them. I recommend dragging the view over on top of the Project Explorer so that you have more vertical room for the view. This becomes especially important if you're working with multiple VMs as I plan to do. Just drag the view as shown in Figure 10.

Practical Linux: Using PDT to Manage Linux - Figure 10 

Figure 10: Drag the Remote Systems view from the lower part of the IDE to the vertical panel on the left.

Now it's time to access your machine. You need to add a connection to your new machine (remember, it's Test 1 at address 10.99.99.101, although you could make it whatever you'd like). Click on the New Connection icon and take two more simple steps.

Practical Linux: Using PDT to Manage Linux - Figure 11 

Figure 11: Click on the New Connection icon.

Practical Linux: Using PDT to Manage Linux - Figure 12 

Figure 12: Select Linux and hit Next.

Practical Linux: Using PDT to Manage Linux - Figure 13 

Figure 13: Enter the IP address and host name of the virtual machine and hit Finish.

Figure 13 shows where you enter the IP address and host name of your virtual machine. If you want, you can add an entry to your hosts table on your host machine to give your machine a DNS name, but I'm just as happy using the IP address. Once you hit Finish, the connection will be defined and you'll be almost there. Please note that because I used a static IP and didn't do any port forwarding, the next step is very straightforward. If you did use port forwarding, you’d have to do a little more custom configuration to get the connection to work. But let's finish up. Your final step is to launch a terminal. If you're able to do that, then you'll be able to do everything else needed in later articles.

Practical Linux: Using PDT to Manage Linux - Figure 14 

Figure 14: Right-click on the Ssh Terminals option and select Launch Terminal.

Practical Linux: Using PDT to Manage Linux - Figure 15 

Figure 15: Enter the user name and password you selected when initially configuring your Ubuntu VM.

Practical Linux: Using PDT to Manage Linux - Figure 16 

Figure 16: The first time you connect, you'll be asked to verify the authenticity of the host. Just hit Yes.

You want to launch a terminal. Use the IDE to do so, and enter the user ID and password that you set up when you first created your Ubuntu virtual machine. Since this will be an SSH connection and this is the first time you've tried to connect to this machine, you'll be challenged to ensure that you're communicating with the machine you think you're communicating with. This challenge happens only once. And if you've done everything correctly, you'll see something like this:

Practical Linux: Using PDT to Manage Linux - Figure 17

Figure 17: You have successfully logged into your machine, and you are ready to start entering commands!

This is the end point for today. Later, we'll use this terminal and also the Sftp Files option under the connection itself (see Figure 13) to access and work with your Ubuntu virtual machine. But for now, you have full access to your machine, so have fun until next time!

Joe Pluta

Joe Pluta is the founder and chief architect of Pluta Brothers Design, Inc. He has been extending the IBM midrange since the days of the IBM System/3. Joe uses WebSphere extensively, especially as the base for PSC/400, the only product that can move your legacy systems to the Web using simple green-screen commands. He has written several books, including Developing Web 2.0 Applications with EGL for IBM i, E-Deployment: The Fastest Path to the Web, Eclipse: Step by Step, and WDSC: Step by Step. Joe performs onsite mentoring and speaks at user groups around the country. You can reach him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..


MC Press books written by Joe Pluta available now on the MC Press Bookstore.

Developing Web 2.0 Applications with EGL for IBM i Developing Web 2.0 Applications with EGL for IBM i
Joe Pluta introduces you to EGL Rich UI and IBM’s Rational Developer for the IBM i platform.
List Price $39.95

Now On Sale

WDSC: Step by Step WDSC: Step by Step
Discover incredibly powerful WDSC with this easy-to-understand yet thorough introduction.
List Price $74.95

Now On Sale

Eclipse: Step by Step Eclipse: Step by Step
Quickly get up to speed and productivity using Eclipse.
List Price $59.00

Now On Sale

BLOG COMMENTS POWERED BY DISQUS

LATEST COMMENTS

Support MC Press Online

$

Book Reviews

Resource Center

  • SB Profound WC 5536 Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application. You can find Part 1 here. In Part 2 of our free Node.js Webinar Series, Brian May teaches you the different tooling options available for writing code, debugging, and using Git for version control. Brian will briefly discuss the different tools available, and demonstrate his preferred setup for Node development on IBM i or any platform. Attend this webinar to learn:

  • SB Profound WP 5539More than ever, there is a demand for IT to deliver innovation. Your IBM i has been an essential part of your business operations for years. However, your organization may struggle to maintain the current system and implement new projects. The thousands of customers we've worked with and surveyed state that expectations regarding the digital footprint and vision of the company are not aligned with the current IT environment.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT Generic IBM announced the E1080 servers using the latest Power10 processor in September 2021. The most powerful processor from IBM to date, Power10 is designed to handle the demands of doing business in today’s high-tech atmosphere, including running cloud applications, supporting big data, and managing AI workloads. But what does Power10 mean for your data center? In this recorded webinar, IBMers Dan Sundt and Dylan Boday join IBM Power Champion Tom Huntington for a discussion on why Power10 technology is the right strategic investment if you run IBM i, AIX, or Linux. In this action-packed hour, Tom will share trends from the IBM i and AIX user communities while Dan and Dylan dive into the tech specs for key hardware, including:

  • Magic MarkTRY the one package that solves all your document design and printing challenges on all your platforms. Produce bar code labels, electronic forms, ad hoc reports, and RFID tags – without programming! MarkMagic is the only document design and print solution that combines report writing, WYSIWYG label and forms design, and conditional printing in one integrated product. Make sure your data survives when catastrophe hits. Request your trial now!  Request Now.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericForms of ransomware has been around for over 30 years, and with more and more organizations suffering attacks each year, it continues to endure. What has made ransomware such a durable threat and what is the best way to combat it? In order to prevent ransomware, organizations must first understand how it works.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericIT security is a top priority for businesses around the world, but most IBM i pros don’t know where to begin—and most cybersecurity experts don’t know IBM i. In this session, Robin Tatam explores the business impact of lax IBM i security, the top vulnerabilities putting IBM i at risk, and the steps you can take to protect your organization. If you’re looking to avoid unexpected downtime or corrupted data, you don’t want to miss this session.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericCan you trust all of your users all of the time? A typical end user receives 16 malicious emails each month, but only 17 percent of these phishing campaigns are reported to IT. Once an attack is underway, most organizations won’t discover the breach until six months later. A staggering amount of damage can occur in that time. Despite these risks, 93 percent of organizations are leaving their IBM i systems vulnerable to cybercrime. In this on-demand webinar, IBM i security experts Robin Tatam and Sandi Moore will reveal:

  • FORTRA Disaster protection is vital to every business. Yet, it often consists of patched together procedures that are prone to error. From automatic backups to data encryption to media management, Robot automates the routine (yet often complex) tasks of iSeries backup and recovery, saving you time and money and making the process safer and more reliable. Automate your backups with the Robot Backup and Recovery Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAManaging messages on your IBM i can be more than a full-time job if you have to do it manually. Messages need a response and resources must be monitored—often over multiple systems and across platforms. How can you be sure you won’t miss important system events? Automate your message center with the Robot Message Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAThe thought of printing, distributing, and storing iSeries reports manually may reduce you to tears. Paper and labor costs associated with report generation can spiral out of control. Mountains of paper threaten to swamp your files. Robot automates report bursting, distribution, bundling, and archiving, and offers secure, selective online report viewing. Manage your reports with the Robot Report Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAFor over 30 years, Robot has been a leader in systems management for IBM i. With batch job creation and scheduling at its core, the Robot Job Scheduling Solution reduces the opportunity for human error and helps you maintain service levels, automating even the biggest, most complex runbooks. Manage your job schedule with the Robot Job Scheduling Solution. Key features include:

  • LANSA Business users want new applications now. Market and regulatory pressures require faster application updates and delivery into production. Your IBM i developers may be approaching retirement, and you see no sure way to fill their positions with experienced developers. In addition, you may be caught between maintaining your existing applications and the uncertainty of moving to something new.

  • LANSAWhen it comes to creating your business applications, there are hundreds of coding platforms and programming languages to choose from. These options range from very complex traditional programming languages to Low-Code platforms where sometimes no traditional coding experience is needed. Download our whitepaper, The Power of Writing Code in a Low-Code Solution, and:

  • LANSASupply Chain is becoming increasingly complex and unpredictable. From raw materials for manufacturing to food supply chains, the journey from source to production to delivery to consumers is marred with inefficiencies, manual processes, shortages, recalls, counterfeits, and scandals. In this webinar, we discuss how:

  • The MC Resource Centers bring you the widest selection of white papers, trial software, and on-demand webcasts for you to choose from. >> Review the list of White Papers, Trial Software or On-Demand Webcast at the MC Press Resource Center. >> Add the items to yru Cart and complet he checkout process and submit

  • Profound Logic Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application.

  • SB Profound WC 5536Join us for this hour-long webcast that will explore:

  • Fortra IT managers hoping to find new IBM i talent are discovering that the pool of experienced RPG programmers and operators or administrators with intimate knowledge of the operating system and the applications that run on it is small. This begs the question: How will you manage the platform that supports such a big part of your business? This guide offers strategies and software suggestions to help you plan IT staffing and resources and smooth the transition after your AS/400 talent retires. Read on to learn: